Posted on: 10/25/2010 in Press Releases
A newly released white paper from 4G Americas (an industry trade organization composed of telecommunications service providers and manufacturers) highlights the limitations of using text messages to contact 9-1-1 emergency services.¹
These limitations are based upon the fact that SMS text messaging is a best effort service offering no guarantee of either delivery or performance. SMS messages are given little or no priority, often competing with thousands of non-emergency messages for available bandwidth and experiencing extensive delays or even failure as a result. Even when delivered effectively SMS text messages offer no security features and are extremely vulnerable to spoofing, spam, malware, etc. This leaves the members of your community asking, “Is this real?” and unable to trust the messages they do receive in many cases.
Campus-based institutions and companies may realize some benefits from SMS text messages but this study and many others combined with a few unfortunate real life tragedies scream out that they are just NOT ENOUGH! Text messaging and even sirens only go so far. Emergency Notification and Alert Systems (ENAS) call for long-range intelligible voice capability so that emergency managers can effectively TAKE CONTROL of emergency situations and save lives.
In a real or imminent emergency, officials MUST be able to not just Alert but also INFORM everyone in the vicinity quickly and clearly of the EXACT nature and location of the emergency and CONTINUE to provide real-time updates and instructions throughout the event. This will allow everyone to take the recommended action and thus insure the safety and security of the entire community. This is especially important for the safety of visitors, parents, customers, service representatives and others who may not be a part of any local network.
Following an Alert or SMS or other message, a firm, reassuring LIVE voice giving clear and understandable instructions enables officials to direct people to safety in a controlled manner, averting a potentially chaotic situation. Every responsible organization should make certain that a dependable live voice emergency notification loudspeaker system is the Tier 1 response in their comprehensive emergency notification plan. Contact IMLCORP www.imlcorp.com or 678-331-3190 for a free analysis of your ENAS needs today. Maximize the safety of your community.
¹ Source: http://www.emergencymgmt.com/emergency-blogs/alerts/Should-SMS-Text-Messaging-102510.html
These limitations are based upon the fact that SMS text messaging is a best effort service offering no guarantee of either delivery or performance. SMS messages are given little or no priority, often competing with thousands of non-emergency messages for available bandwidth and experiencing extensive delays or even failure as a result. Even when delivered effectively SMS text messages offer no security features and are extremely vulnerable to spoofing, spam, malware, etc. This leaves the members of your community asking, “Is this real?” and unable to trust the messages they do receive in many cases.
Campus-based institutions and companies may realize some benefits from SMS text messages but this study and many others combined with a few unfortunate real life tragedies scream out that they are just NOT ENOUGH! Text messaging and even sirens only go so far. Emergency Notification and Alert Systems (ENAS) call for long-range intelligible voice capability so that emergency managers can effectively TAKE CONTROL of emergency situations and save lives.
In a real or imminent emergency, officials MUST be able to not just Alert but also INFORM everyone in the vicinity quickly and clearly of the EXACT nature and location of the emergency and CONTINUE to provide real-time updates and instructions throughout the event. This will allow everyone to take the recommended action and thus insure the safety and security of the entire community. This is especially important for the safety of visitors, parents, customers, service representatives and others who may not be a part of any local network.
Following an Alert or SMS or other message, a firm, reassuring LIVE voice giving clear and understandable instructions enables officials to direct people to safety in a controlled manner, averting a potentially chaotic situation. Every responsible organization should make certain that a dependable live voice emergency notification loudspeaker system is the Tier 1 response in their comprehensive emergency notification plan. Contact IMLCORP www.imlcorp.com or 678-331-3190 for a free analysis of your ENAS needs today. Maximize the safety of your community.
¹ Source: http://www.emergencymgmt.com/emergency-blogs/alerts/Should-SMS-Text-Messaging-102510.html
