If you're in certain parts of New York City today, it's possible you'll receive test text messages on your mobile device from one of the first tests of the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) - also known as Personal Localized Alert Network (PLAN). New York City's Office of Emergency Management intends to send six CMAS/PLAN test alerts today.
The public is not required to sign up for the alerts but to receive the alerts, they must have a relatively new mobile device and must be within a certain geographic area. In 2012, all newly-shipped mobile devices will be configured to receive the alerts.
This is a particularly significant event for New York City. Because of the population density, the City has struggled with coming up with enough bandwidth to alert the public through one-to-one systems that work quite well in other places - telephone, SMS, email alerts. CMAS/PLAN doesn't put as much pressure on bandwidth because it, in effect, broadcasts the messages from its towers. If an equipped mobile device is within range of the towers transmitting the messages, they'll receive the text messages. That is, unless the device user has gone to the trouble to opt out of the messages. Devices will be automatically configured to receive alerts for Presidential messages, imminent threats, and Amber Alerts. Users can opt out of imminent threat and Amber Alerts if they like.
New York City officials expect to roll out the program to the rest of the city New Year's day. Emergency managers and other public safety officials throughout the country should be happy to see such a capability developing, and anxious to hear what's next to get the capability in their communities.
All the best,
Rick
www.galainsolutions.com
