30 Implementation Issues on Citizens Alarming Using Mobile Phone Technology (PSAM-0237)

In emergency situations authorities need to warn the public. The conventionally used method for citizens warning in The Netherlands is the use of a siren. Modern telecommunication technologies have great potential for informing the public. Especially the use of text-based features of mobile phones is considered for this function. Advantages of such a system are that problems of hearing the siren may be overcome and the possibilities of giving more and more detailed information.

This paper describes two alternatives for sending messages: the text message function and the cell broadcast service. Opportunities and drawbacks are discussed of the mobile technologies for citizens warning.

A model is introduced describing an alarming cycle. This cycle explains the steps that need to be taken for text messages to be sent to alarm the population. The cycle is used to address implementation issues of such new warning systems.

In 2005–2006 the applicability of a mobile phone technology for citizens warning is tested in The Netherlands. Delft University of Technology will evaluate the mentioned implementation issues in this project.