Emergency Notification Not Advancing With Technology, Survey Says

Jan 22, 2008 4:09 PM

CDW Government Inc. (CDW-G), a source of Information Technology (IT) systems to governments and educators, has announced the findings of its survey on local emergency alert systems. The national survey of U.S. residents found that emergency notification capabilities are not evolving with advances in technology and changing information consumption habits. While wireless subscribers in America are at an all-time high and one billion text messages are sent by U.S. residents daily, local governments still relay information largely via television and radio, which require access to electricity that may not be available during emergencies.

"In a crisis situation, the ability to receive information right away, when traditional power sources may be unavailable, is critical," says Jim Grass, CDW-G senior director of state and local sales. "Television, radio and text messaging all have a role to play in disseminating emergency information, but only text messaging 'pushes' information to citizens wherever they are. A continuity of operations strategy that includes both active and passive information distribution methods is key to reaching as many people as possible, as quickly as possible."

Americans are most interested in obtaining information about weather threats, terrorist threats or incidents, major roadway closures and health threats via emergency alerts, the CDW-G survey found. Despite the clear desire for information, respondents gave their cities, schools and offices mixed reviews on their ability to deliver essential information in an emergency. Just 36 percent said their city is "very strong" or "good" at informing citizens, while 39 percent said the performance of their school or office is "very strong" or "good." The hurricane-prone Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area ranked the highest for its ability to alert citizens, earning a "fair" rating overall.

The survey also identified a critical gap between respondents' desire for information and awareness of their communities' emergency notification programs. Just 10 percent of respondents said their city has a modern emergency notification system, while two-thirds said they were unsure if their city has such a system. Fully one-third said they have no knowledge of or experience with their city emergency notification program. Of parents with children at home, 55 percent either could not rate their school or office emergency notification system or said the system could be improved.

"Local governments and businesses across the country face modern-day threats, yet many are hampered by emergency communications technology dating to the 1970s," Grass says. "In today's environment, local governments, businesses and schools have a clear mandate to deploy systems that quickly convey relevant information to citizens during an emergency. Likewise, citizens have the opportunity -- and responsibility -- to learn about and participate in existing emergency notification programs."

The survey of 1,448 residents in the 20 largest metropolitan areas in the United States has a margin of error of less than 2.5 percent. The full study, with comparisons of major metropolitan areas, is available for download and review at www.cdwg.com/alerts.

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