From Don Denman: Application Developer
AVTEX, Inc. “CityWatch Community Notification System”
5265 Edina Industrial
Blvd
Edina, MN
55439
PH 952-832-3717 FAX# 952-832-3722 Email ddenman@avtex.com
http:// www.citywatch.com
AVTEX, Inc. appreciates the opportunity to provide input from a vendors standpoint regarding All Hazard Warning Systems. Our company has been actively involved in the Communications Public Safety - Emergency Response Alert Warning and Notification industry since 1971 and have developed several exclusive technologies directed at the betterment of communications in alert situations.
AVTEX, Inc. currently services over 1700 communications and call processing customers throughout the United States and Canada is a market leader in the GIS Based Automated Notifications Systems marketplace. Our GIS based Notification Systems are designed to communicate to the masses through telephones, fax machines, email, TDD-TTY machines, tone radios, tone and voice sirens, pagers, Doppler Weather Radar Systems, and more. AVTEX has in-place several technologies and partnerships which can assist NTIA in the discovery, development, implementation, and on-going support of an effective Mass Warning System.
AVTEX, Inc. would welcome the opportunity of working with NTIA to help create the next level of Mass Warning Systems using all available technologies.
1. Is it technologically feasible today to
deliver hazard warnings: to wireless devices, such as cell phones and pagers;
over the Internet to users who are online; to standard telephones in the form
of a call warning; to broadcast television; to satellite services; to cable
television; and to emerging and developing technologies?
The communications capabilities described above are very achievable using a combination of today’s available technologies. Implementing a combination of siren warning systems, TV/Cable warning systems, radio frequency warning devices, internet transmission of messages, and GIS based Automated Notification Systems such as the CityWatch Community Notification System could provide a mass alert warning system that would be both effective and efficient.
It is important to note that not just one of these technologies could provide an effective solution to a truly mass notification system. Each of the described technologies above offer both strengths and weaknesses. Through the orchestrated integration of these technologies could result in an effective mass alerting system.
2. What are the tradeoffs among technology
options?
Warning Sirens:
Enables fast alerting of huge highly populated areas. Cost effective. Typically can provide a warning tone to the most people in the shortest amount of time. Disadvantages: Typically only provides tone alerts. Can result in high call volume from citizens back into 911 centers wondering what’s happening. Does not provide ant actual information about the alert situation.
TV/Cable Warnings:
Provides detailed, up to the minute warning and alert information. Can supply Citizens/Businesses with actual warning information/status as well as provide “situation update/change” information on a real-time basis. Can hit a large mass of households/business quickly through telecast. Disadvantages: Citizens and Businesses need to have the TV on and tuned into the proper channels for notification. Does not provide effective notification for people outside, in their cars, or otherwise not accessible to a TV.
Radio Frequency Warning Devices:
These devices which are activated through radio frequency channels and/or via telephone lines can generate very fast alert notifications that include both text and siren warnings. These devices can be activated to very large groups simultaneously and can be very effective for targeted areas such as households directly around a nuclear facility, a power plant, a ammunitions factory, a correctional facility, or other targeted/defined geographic area. Disadvantages: Requires physically placing a device into the home and/or office location directly. Not feasible for the masses. Requires electrical/battery service to operate. Requires up-keep/maintenance at the household level. Expensive to implement and upkeep.
Internet Warning Services:
Internet warning services (email, screen message scrolling, phone calls IP) can provide mass almost simultaneous notifications to huge populations very quickly. The alert information transmitted via the internet through email or message screen scrolling can contain large amounts of detailed information which can provide enough content so Citizens/Businesses can take proper action/precautions. Disadvantages: Citizens have to have access to the internet as well as have an identified Email address for message delivery. Citizens have to have their computers on and actually “open the alert email” to read for notification. Internet messaging can be disrupted by downed networks. These networks are currently at risk to computer hackers whom can render the internet useless and in-turn disrupt message delivery and effective notification.
GIS Based Automated Notification Systems:
GIS based Automated Notification System platforms provide mass notifications to telephones, fax machines, Email addresses, pagers, TDD-TTY hearing impaired machines, multilingual families, cell phones, tone radios, tone warning systems, and more. These systems are extremely effective for alerting both specific geographic areas using GIS mapping technology, as well as contacting specific targeted groups or destinations such as schools, day-cares, nursing homes, emergency response personnel, special needs groups, and more. Automated Notification Systems are a proven technology that can integrate with current E911 systems, CAD systems, and other Record Management Systems to provide automated, seem-less notifications. Automated Notification Systems not only provide mass warning functions, but furthermore they can be used for day to day communications within a City/County environment. CityWatch System applications include lost children alerts, weather warnings alerts, community policing alerts, water main break alerts, evacuations, HAZMAT alerts, senior citizen health check calling, flood notifications, meeting notices, and more. Disadvantages: Notification capability limited to both number of telephone lines available to the system as well as number of lines available within the Central Office where the notifications are being delivered. While our CityWatch Notification System platform can expand to virtually unlimited simultaneous telephone lines, each Telephone Company Central Office is only equipped with a specific number of lines to accommodate Inbound and Outbound call traffic.
3. What are the economic impediments, if any,
to the use of any of the technologies that might be used to disseminate hazard
warnings?
Most of the technologies detailed above can provide effective mass notifications/warnings economically with the exception of the Radio Frequency Warning Devices. These devices are required to be physically installed in homes/offices and require on-going maintenance to insure they are properly working and powered. All of the other listed technologies can provide mass notifications with equipment and/or services typically already installed in most homes (i.e.: telephone lines, cable, TV sets)
4. What are the legal impediments, if any, to
the use of any of the technologies that might be used to disseminate hazard
warnings?
AVTEX is not prepared to comment on legal impediments of these technologies.
5. What legal measures, if any, should be
taken to foster the delivery of hazard warnings?
AVTEX, Inc. does not know of any legal measures that are necessary.
6. What economic and technological policy
measures, if any, should be taken to foster the dissemination of hazard
warnings?
We would recommend that Congress pass legislation that would require the Telephone Operating Companies
throughout the United States to provide local and state Law Enforcement and Emergency Management
Agencies equal access to 911 databases (for emergency purposes) which would provide the best available
source to household and business telephone numbers.
As for economic measures, more community grant funding enables state and federal emergency response
agencies and law enforcement agencies to purchase more effective and efficient communications technology,
and will assist with annual maintenance fees, additional equipment, training and updates.