State signs on to electronic billboards

The state plans to use privately owned electronic billboards in metro areas to broadcast emergency alerts. The billboards will be used like the Department of Transportation's electronic signs over the interstates in Atlanta, which can post traffic conditions or broadcast "Levi Calls" for missing children. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Georgia Bureau of Investigation can activate the 75 billboards donated by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia. The signs, which normally carry advertising, are located on highways in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Brunswick, Macon, Rome, Savannah and Valdosta.

(Associated Press)

Audit: technology hampers first responders

Communication between emergency responders during a disaster could be hampered by incompatible technology. That's unless upgrades are made to the system, according to state auditors. The state’s department of Department of Audits and Accounts concluded that while more than 100-million dollars is devoted to first responders, it seems the agencies aren’t really talking to one another.

In addition to regional police and fire agencies, there are statewide organizations, including GEMA and the Georgia State Patrol, operating with different communications networks. Some equipment is old and out dated. Some agencies use cell phones, and walkie-talkies while others use radios.

But, citing the lessons learned on 9/11 when New York fire and police were unable to communicate because each uses a different radio frequency, the audit suggests a single agency coordinate emergency efforts.

One suggestion is to let Georgia Emergency Management Agency act as the central clearing house. However, the audit cites a response from the Georgia State Patrol, which believes that it best [positioned to develop the state’s so called inter operability efforts.

Emergency alerts might be faulty

Emergency alert emails might not be as reliable as many colleges and university hope. A new study by a Georgia Tech scientist found emergency notification systems failed to reach 85% of a population within 10 minutes. The systems send text messages and voice calls to cell phones when there is an emergency. The study found that text messages are vulnerable to fraud, since hackers could send out false alerts and like e-mails, texts could be delayed. And in emergencies, a flood of calls to loved ones could overload a cell network and interrupt emergency 911 communications.

UGA inspects failed alert system

The University of Georgia is trying to figure out why its emergency notification system failed. There was a 13-minute delay when the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Clarke County Aug. 26. The UGAAlert system is designed to send students and employees text messages, e-mails and automated phone calls when there is a campus-wide threat. Nearly 50,000 people are connected to the system.

(Associated Press)