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City Unveils National Emergency Text Message System

By DNAinfo Staff on May 10, 2011 11:02am  | Updated on May 10, 2011 2:17pm

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the announcement at 2 World Financial Center overlooking Ground Zero.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the announcement at 2 World Financial Center overlooking Ground Zero.
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DNAinfo/Jill Colvin

By Jill Colvin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

DOWNTOWN — Your TV's old emergency broadcast system is getting an upgrade.

The Federal Communications Commission unveiled the nation’s first text message-based emergency alert system Tuesday that will send potentially life-saving messages directly to enabled cell phones.

The new Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN),  set to debut in the city this year, will provide free location-specific messages alerting users to "imminent threats to safety in their area," officials said.

Alerts will be issued to every user in the area at the time — including those from out of town — regardless of where they live or where they purchased their phones.

A national emergency texting system is in the works.
A national emergency texting system is in the works.
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William Hook/Flickr

The service is expected to be rolled out nation-wide by the middle of next year. But in order to receive messages, phones must be equipped with PLAN chips and software.

Some new cell phone models are already being sold with the chips, but providers said that it will take several years before the technology is widespread.

Nonetheless, officials touted the plan as a crucial new tool during disasters.

"The plan will allow local, state and federal authorities to get messages in times of emergency to people on their mobile devices," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who announced the rollout with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and cell phone operators at 2 World Financial Center, overlooking the rebuilding of Ground Zero.

"It will provide a fast lane for emergency alerts," which are given priority over other cell phone traffic, he said.

The messages will be transmitted in 90 characters or less and will include several categories of alerts: those issued by the president, warnings about "imminent threats to safety or life," and Amber Alerts about missing children.

Officials cited the 9/11 attacks, the attempted car bombing in Times Square and recent tornadoes as examples of threats that could merit an emergency alert — "something so imminent it threatens the life and safety of people," Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Bruno said.

Carriers may allow customers to opt out of all but the presidential alerts, the FCC said.

Bloomberg described the plan as a "quantum leap forward" in using technology to help keep people safe.

Emergency alerts will come straight to subscribers' phones.
Emergency alerts will come straight to subscribers' phones.
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Flickr/Felixion

"One of the many lessons that [was] reinforced on 9/11 was the importance of getting clear and accurate information to the public during a crisis," he said.

Still, he said that informing people accurately about imminent dangers and instructing them on how to respond will always be a challenge.

"There is no easy answer and people will always have disagreements as to how much you warn, what type of prophylactic measures you should take. Do you panic people?" he said.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint have all signed on to the plan so far.

The city also operates its own opt-in Notify NYC alert system, which sends neighborhood-specific alerts about less serious threats via email, text message and voice message to 66,000 subscribers. City officials encouraged residents to sign up for those as well.