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APTS
president and CEO John Lawson said, "This
project demonstrates how the capabilities
of America's public broadcasters can be
utilised to dramatically enhance the ability
of the President of the United States to
communicate with the American public during
a national crisis.
"The
partnership between APTS and the Department
of Homeland Security and FEMA is a major
step forward in laying the foundation for
a new generation alert and warning system.
The current EAS has it roots in the Cold
War, and still relies on technology from
that era. You had to be watching one of
the major networks or listening to a radio
station to have a chance of receiving the
alert.
Fema
director David Paulison says, "What
we are announcing is an alert system for
the mobile, networked, and digital America
of the 21st Century. Digital capabilities
will improve the reliability, flexibility
and security of the emergency alert system.
"This
more efficient system will better serve
first responders and government officials,
as well as provide the American public timely
information so they can safeguard themselves
and loved ones in times of emergencies."
APTS
demonstrated the capabilities of digital
broadcasting through a two- year project
in the National Capital Region. The initial
phases of
this project included PBS, Wetas, 25 other
public television stations across the US
and the FCC.
APTS
and Fema were also joined by partners in
the commercial television, cable, cellular,
paging and radio industries. SpectraRep,
a professional services firm, provides technology
and anagement consulting services to the
television stations.
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