Emergency notification 1 0

Emergency notification 1 0


When it comes to being alerted about an impending or recent disaster — such as a hurricane or terrorist strike — most Americans still get their government information from early 20th-century technologies. Only about 11 percent of the population get word of national emergencies through new technologies such as Web sites or text messages. Meanwhile, 82 percent get the news from either TV or radio, according to a recent survey CDW Government conducted of 1,448 citizens in the top 20 metro areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency should take note: Fewer people are watching TV — 2.5 million fewer in 2007 than in 2006, according to Nielsen Media Research. And there are now more than 250 million wireless subscribers in the country, according to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association. Eventually, text messaging might prove to be the most effective way to reach those mobile citizens.
Question: In an emergency situation, what information source do you turn to first for gathering information and instructions from authorities?

TV: 64%
Radio: 18%
Friends and family: 5%
Local media Web sites: 5%
National media Web sites: 2%
E-mail alerts: 2%
Local government Web sites: 1%
Text message alerts: 1%
Other channels: 2%

More news on related topics: Communications / Networks, Homeland Security