All articles tagged with #emergency alerts
A mass shooting at Brown University has raised concerns over campus security and the effectiveness of the investigation, with students and residents calling for increased safety measures and questioning the university's security systems amid ongoing efforts to identify the shooter.
Nextdoor is overhauling its platform to improve usefulness by introducing authoritative emergency alerts, partnering with local news outlets, and adding AI-powered features like a neighborhood recommendations chatbot, aiming to focus on utility and community engagement.
Deadly floods in Kerr County, Texas, have resulted in 120 deaths and over 160 missing, with controversy over delayed emergency alerts and communication failures during the disaster. Authorities are scrutinizing the timing of flood warnings and response efforts.
Texas officials are considering installing flood warning sirens along the Guadalupe River after deadly floods in 2025, aiming to improve outdoor warning systems and save lives, though challenges like false alarms and costs remain.
FEMA records reveal Kerr County did not utilize the FEMA's Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) to send alerts to all cell phones during the July 4 flooding, relying instead on less effective methods like social media and sign-up alerts, raising concerns about emergency communication effectiveness and policy standardization.
Kerr County officials admitted to lacking a functional emergency alert system during recent deadly floods, despite having a system called CodeRED since 2009. Residents received sporadic and delayed flood warnings, with some alerts not issued until hours after the floodwaters rose rapidly. The delays and limitations of the alert system, combined with spotty cell service and voluntary sign-ups, raised concerns about the effectiveness of the warning process during the disaster.
New Hampshire safety officials are reviewing the Amber Alert system after reports of some people not receiving alerts following a successful alert that led to the safe recovery of two girls in Keene. While officials consider the alert a success, they are investigating why some individuals received the alert late or not at all. They emphasize the importance of ensuring that emergency alerts are activated on mobile phones to receive timely notifications.
Several school districts in Santa Barbara County, including Santa Barbara Unified and Lompoc Unified, have announced closures for Monday, Feb. 5 due to an incoming severe storm. The decision comes as a precaution following a recommendation from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts, while no planned school closures have been reported in San Luis Obispo County as of Friday afternoon.
The mandatory evacuation order for residents living near 13000 Trail Boss Ct in El Paso County has been lifted after heavy rains helped contain the wildfire. Emergency response officials are urging residents to sign up for Peak Alerts, the local emergency notification system, to stay informed about potential dangers. The system sends alerts about natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, law enforcement activity, and evacuation notices.
The Lane County Sheriff's Office has issued Level 3 evacuation notices for areas east of Timber Creek and the intersection with Peninsula Road, due to the Bedrock Fire. Level 2 notices are in place for residents on the north and south of Fall Creek lake, including Big Fall Creek Road and Winberry Creek Road. People are urged to sign up for emergency alerts, and a Red Cross shelter has been opened at Lowell High School. The fire has burned 22,679 acres and is at 20% containment.
Evacuation orders have been issued for the Palmer Village Subdivision in Teller County, Colorado, due to a wildfire. The Teller County Sheriff's Office has also issued a pre-evacuation warning for the Twin Rock and Druid Hills Subdivisions. Residents are advised to be prepared to leave at any moment. Emergency response experts emphasize the importance of signing up for alert notifications to ensure timely and effective communication during emergencies.
Ford has reversed its decision to remove AM radio from its vehicles after speaking with government policy leaders who are concerned about keeping emergency alerts that often are sounded on AM stations. The move comes after a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced a bill calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost. The "AM for Every Vehicle Act" sponsors cited public safety concerns, noting AM's historic role in transmitting vital information during emergencies, such as natural disasters, especially to rural areas.
Ford will add AM radio to its 2023 Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning models through a software update following discussions with politicians about the emergency alert system. The decision comes after a bipartisan group of senators and House representatives introduced a bill, the AM for Every Vehicle Act, to require the older radio format in new cars without charging a premium. Ford cut AM radio from its 2023 EVs after data showed that less than 5 percent of customers used it, but the company has now recognized the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the AM for Every Vehicle Act, which would require all new cars to include AM radio, as many manufacturers have been phasing it out. The legislation would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule requiring automakers to keep AM broadcast radio in their vehicles with no additional payment, fee or surcharge required. The bill’s introduction came after reports indicated manufacturers like BMW, Volkswagen, Mazda and Tesla are removing AM radio from their vehicles because electric engines can interfere with the AM stations’ sound.
A bipartisan group of members of Congress has introduced the AM for Every Vehicle Act, which would mandate auto manufacturers to keep the traditional AM radio band intact in new vehicles. The move comes after several manufacturers, including Tesla, dropped AM from their vehicles, citing interference between the AM band and electric operating systems. The legislation would have the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issuing a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge. The move is being applauded for its public safety implications, as AM radio is considered an essential tool in emergencies.