Why You Should Learn About Wireless Emergency Alert Systems

With capabilities far beyond Amber Alerts and Flash Flood Warnings, wireless emergency alert systems should be worked into every emergency response and preparedness plan for every organization. There is simply no excuse for relying on another agency to put out information that affects your patients, your staff, your community.

 

 

Your health care organization simply must put time into learning about the WEA system and how to work within it in order to be prepared for the future.

 

Let’s start with making sure the facts about WEAs are made clear, to everyone. According to FEMA, “Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through your mobile carrier.” The technology ensures that these messages get through, even if cell phone carriers are jammed.

 

 

Alerts are broadcast based on geography, utilizing the cell towers whose coverage areas match the emergency zone. This is not limited to those who are simply from the area, if you are visiting San Diego from New York, you’ll be able to receive messages put out in the San Diego area.

 

 

Wireless providers are required to limit the range of these messages to the county or counties that are affected by the specific emergency situation. Often they are able to target smaller areas.

 

 

The messages sent out, fall into three categories, two of which consumers can opt-out of. Presidential alerts are the only alerts that will go through to each and every capable phone. Consumers can choose not to receive alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life and/or Amber Alerts.

 

WEAs expand beyond text messages during emergencies. They also come in the form of mobile duress pendants and panic alarms. All of them can be integrated with a hospital Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) system, a video management system, mass notification system, or even a fire detection system. While these devices may not be used by the same people from day to day, they are able to do simple things like initiating a local alarm or send SMS texts via a mass notification system.

 

 

These devices rarely provide any false activations and they are able to be adapted to fixed locations, such as parking lots and other key locations. The range on these WEAs is far superior to what people think of for Wi-Fi. They are much more powerful and can reach up to one mile (outside with no obstructions). By installing repeaters every 50,000 to 75,000 feet indoors coverage should be adequate.

 

 

Does your organization use WEAs? Why not?

 

 

Ready to talk more about your emergency preparedness plan? Contact us today!