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/ 07.16.2010 12:00AM
Michigan Prepares to Redirect Emergency Alerts
LANSING, MICH. : State police and emergency managers in
Michigan will have direct input to key broadcasters on public warnings starting
Monday.
“Through funds provided by the federal government, the Michigan State Police
and several emergency managers will be able to send emergency messages and
AMBER alerts directly to key EAS stations throughout the state,” according to a
statement by the state’s EAS chair Larry Estlack, who is also director of
technology for the
Michigan Association of
Broadcasters.
“The EAS terminals are linked by both satellite and Internet to provide
redundancy when communication systems have failed. Additionally, as the warning
is sent to key broadcast stations, it can be sent in a short-length format that
can be used to post to Web sites, feed electronic signs and be sent to e-mail
accounts, as well as text messages to mobile devices.”
He said this EMnet system was employed in 25 percent of the United States and
compliant with the expected government-required messaging format.
“We expect to demonstrate its ability to provide full text messaging for the
hearing impaired in the coming weeks,” he said in the statement. “These
early warnings will allow the broadcasting community to inform their audiences
quicker, ultimately helping to save lives.”
The system can send messages in English, Spanish and French in 10 seconds. Emergency
managers have been training on the EMnet equipment with weekly tests. -- from
Radio World
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Thursday 12:00AM
Broadcasters File Suit Against FCC’s Political File Rules
“The FCC decision to put the political files online will bring broadcasters into the 21st century, and will make already public information more easily accessible to everyone.” Free Press Senior Policy Counsel Corie Wright.