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Press Release

March 30, 2009

Rep. Susan Davis Calls for Disaster Warnings for Cell Phones

Davis urges FEMA to implement warning system required by law

WASHINGTON – In a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) asked the agency to fulfill its obligation under the Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act (WARN) Act and implement a system to relay disaster warnings to mobile phones.

“We know from past disasters that access to information during an emergency situation is of the utmost importance,” said Davis.  “There are an increasing number of people who don’t have landlines and only use a cell phone.  While there are some who participate in limited opt-in warning programs for mobile phones, most people, and tourists, would be left out of the loop in the event of an emergency.”

The Federal Communication Commission worked with commercial mobile service providers to create a Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) to relay emergency alerts through cellular phones.  However, FEMA has yet to work with local governments to put the system in place.

Once in place, the system would allow all mobile phone users, both residents and tourists, within the proximity of a disaster zone to be notified of vital, potentially life saving information.  The County of San Diego has already implemented landline notifications and the AlertSanDiego emergency broadcast system.

Davis asked about FEMA’s timeline for the implementation of the cell broadcasting infrastructure and making the technology available to the County of San Diego.

“FEMA needs to reach out to our local governments and get the implementation of this warning system underway,” Davis said.  “And they need to do it before the next disaster hits.”

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