FEMA Promotes Its Wireless Emergency Alert System

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is releasing new public service advertising, created in conjunction with the Advertising Council, to educate Americans about its wireless emergency alert system.

The system, which enables local, state and federal authorized government authorities to send emergency messages through wireless carriers’ networks, started two years ago, but has not been publicized through advertising. The release of the campaign coincides with Hurricane Preparedness Week, which began on Sunday and runs through Saturday. The week, an annual effort coordinated by several government agencies, including FEMA, is intended to inform the public about hurricane hazards and steps to take to prepare for them. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Wireless emergency alerts — issued for extreme weather like hurricanes, tornadoes or flash foods; Amber Alerts; or alerts from the president about catastrophic disasters — come as text messages that feature a special tone and vibration. No longer than 90 characters, the message discusses the type and time of the alert, action individuals should take, and the issuing agencies. Over 100 wireless carriers offer the free alert service; no subscription is necessary. Alerts are broadcast from cell towers and warn everyone in range who has a device that is capable of receiving a wireless emergency alert. Many new cellphones and smartphones can transmit these messages.