On January 13th, a text message was sent out to the residents of Hawaii through their emergency alert system. The message read, "BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL." The message was taken seriously, causing widespread panic. However, it turned out to be a false alarm caused by human error. Thankfully, this mistake has since been addressed.
Government agencies use smartphones to alert the public about natural and man-made disasters. These alerts are sent via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), which are part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). WEAs can be issued by state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and even the President of the United States. Alerts are divided into three categories:
Types of Alerts
- Imminent Threat
- Amber Alert
- Presidential
Wireless Emergency Alerts resemble text messages and are limited to 90 characters. The message will state the type of threat, the time of the alert, and any actions you should take. The Hawaiian alert, for example, stated there was an inbound missile and instructed people to take immediate shelter. The alert is designed to grab your attention, with a unique sound and vibration that repeats twice.
Since most people are never far from their phones, the system is highly effective. WEAs are not affected by network congestion and will not interrupt calls, texts, or data. Mobile users are not charged for receiving these alerts, and there is no need to subscribe. Check with your cell service provider to ensure your phone can receive WEAs.
Instant mobile alerts may be the first warning of a major life-threatening event. FEMA offers an online training course in the Public Alert System, which introduces the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and outlines the actions that should be taken during an emergency. FEMA also provides training materials for children and teachers. It’s crucial to take the time to explain the Emergency Alert System to your children so they know what to do in case of an emergency.
The false alarm in Hawaii may seem trivial now, a simple miscommunication. However, the people who received the alert and ran for their lives didn’t find it funny at the time. What if there had been a real threat? Was there adequate shelter nearby? Were families separated in the chaos? Would you be ready to act at a moment’s notice?
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For more information on emergency alerts, visit Ready.gov - Alerts.
