Alerting the Masses: Technology’s Vital Role in Enhancing Public Warning Systems

What is a Public Warning System?

A PWS is a set of communication tools and protocols designed to alert and inform the public of an impending hazard, emergency or disaster. The primary purpose of a PWS is to provide timely and accurate information to individuals and communities so that they can take appropriate actions to protect their lives and property in various hazardous situations.

PWSs are essential tools for emergency management and disaster preparedness, as they can significantly reduce casualties and property damage by enabling timely responses and informed decisions by the affected population.

Key features of a Public Warning System typically include:

• Alerts and Notifications: PWSs use various channels such as sirens, radio broadcasts, television, text messages, smartphone apps, and social media to disseminate alerts and notifications to the public.

• Emergency Information: PWSs provide essential information about the nature of the emergency, its location, expected impact, and recommended actions, such as evacuation instructions or sheltering in place.

• Multiple Communication Channels: To ensure widespread dissemination, PWSs often utilise multiple communication channels to reach as many people as possible, considering that not everyone may have access to the same devices or platforms.

• Covers all kinds of Threats: PWSs can be used for a wide range of threats, including natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, as well as man-made emergencies like terrorist attacks, industrial accidents, and public health crises.

• Geographical Targeting: Modern PWSs can deliver alerts to specific geographic areas, allowing authorities to issue localised warnings, which is particularly useful for events that affect only certain regions.

• Timely Updates: PWSs may provide regular updates and guidance throughout the duration of an emergency to keep the public informed and safe.

• Accessibility: Efforts are made to ensure that the warning messages are accessible to people with disabilities and those who speak different languages.

• Testing and Education: Regular testing and public education campaigns are often part of PWS strategies to familiarise the public with the warning system and how to respond to alerts.

The Full Life Cycle of a Crisis

Effective crisis management involves addressing the entire life cycle of a crisis, not just the response phase. This includes:

Pre-Crisis Vigilance: Detecting early warning signs and alerting the public before a crisis escalates.

Response: Providing timely information and guidance during the crisis to protect lives and property.

Recovery: Ensuring that affected areas are safe for inhabitants to return and resume normal life.

Reaching Everyone, Everywhere, Anytime

The ultimate goal of technology-driven crisis management is to reach everyone, everywhere, at any time. This level of coverage ensures that no one is left in the dark during an emergency, regardless of their location or circumstances.

The Role of Technology in Public Warning System

Here are the key technologies in crisis management for Location-based alerts:

• Cell Broadcast: Cell Broadcast (CB) is a location-based technology delivering text messages to mobile screens, offering point-to-multipoint service for specific areas with almost real-time information and language preferences, even during network congestion. It reaches all subscribers with one broadcast, maintaining user privacy, and supports various network generations. Users need compatible devices for alerts, though authorities can mandate activation, and opt-out options may be limited.

• Location-Based SMS Alerting system: Location-Based SMS (LB-SMS) merges traditional SMS with cell-based location, enabling targeted messaging to mobile devices for situational awareness, delivery reports, and tailored content. LB-SMS operates on any SMS-compatible device and allows alerts to be sent to specific areas within the network of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) securely. LB-SMS doesn’t need prior subscription. This technology identifies devices within affected regions and respects privacy laws by not sharing personal data. LB-SMS supports effective location-based communication, even in emergencies, with enhanced network capacity and compliance with privacy regulations. It includes situational awareness such as anonymous number of devices in the danger area and heat map, enabling to dimension the crisis response and resources for intervention. This technology also collects statistics of “confirmation of reception” of the alert by smartphones, enabling authorities to know the percentage of the population who has been made aware of the danger. This confirmation has proved to be a key feature in case of trial.

• App-based solutions: Mass alerting through apps is often a feature of 112-apps, where citizens must agree to share their location with the app provider. This enables location-based alerts through the internet or radio. Public warning apps operate independently of mobile network operators, acting as a bit-pipe. The challenge lies in encouraging enough people to install the app, requiring marketing efforts to raise awareness. Visitors from abroad may not be aware of the app’s existence, necessitating awareness campaigns and pre-installation on phones. Additionally, cybersecurity concerns, like denial-of-service attacks, may affect system responsiveness in certain situations. Even if every other safety protocol is ensured, designers still need to consider the battery capacity concern when designing the app.

• Systems for landline phones: Geographic alerting through the fixed phone network serves as a crucial complement to mobile telephony, especially for reaching populations without mobile phones (especially for elderly people) or network access. It remains essential for alerting individuals in home or office locations and can be relied upon in cases of mobile network issues. Modern Public Warning Systems (PWSs) incorporate voice calls as a supplementary channel, enabling automated voice messages, text-to-speech alerts, and feedback collection. Landline phones facilitate outreach through public phone books and online registrations. However, there’s a risk of overload, which requires congestion control mechanisms. IP telecommunications, while more flexible, also need strategies to handle overload, making adaptative network algorithms valuable for effective alerting.

What’s New and Upcoming in the Public Warning System?

In alignment with the European Commission’s goal of introducing the Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service to alert people in case of threatening hazards, the STELLAR* project was formed to show case the benefits of satellite capacity to the European civil protection authorities. The consortium ‘s partners designed and conducted several practical demonstrations to validate the complete process of delivering targeted Emergency Warning messages throughout Europe. These demonstrations were using the current operational Galileo infrastructure.

New Emergency Warning Satellite Service: The Emergency Warning Satellite Service (EWSS) utilises Galileo’s messaging function to send alerts and instructions to smartphones or other navigation devices based on the user’s location. Thanks to its satellite coverage, EWSS can reach smartphones everywhere including in remote areas, making it accessible even in rural regions with poor mobile signal and during disasters that disrupt ground infrastructure. This independent satellite channel allows national civil protection authorities to broadcast alerts to the population, complementing existing alert services like mobile networks, TV, radio, and the internet. The Galileo alert service can be received on various devices capable of processing Galileo signals, including smartphones, car navigation systems, and fixed receivers on buildings for public billboards.

*STELLAR is a project funded by the European Union’s program Horizon Europe and managed by the European Commission. The project’s consortium comprises of European companies specialised in satellite navigation and emergency management. Telespazio France leads the consortium, which includes CNES, EENA, F24, and Thalès Alenia Space.

Conclusion

In a world characterised by increasing complexities and uncertainties, technology has become an indispensable tool in managing crises and protecting lives. Dr. Amelie Grangeat’s insights shed light on the multi-faceted role of technology in crisis management, emphasising the need for early warning systems, clear communication, and a comprehensive approach to addressing the entire life cycle of a crisis. As we move forward, the integration of technology and expert knowledge will continue to play a pivotal role in safeguarding communities and ensuring a more resilient and prepared society.