This video addresses how inefficient our emergency alert/warning systems are. Cell broadcasting is a cellular based warning system that uses mobile phones to alert people of impending disasters. Unlike, many existing SMS (text message) alert services, cell broadcasts alert people specific to a geographic area.
My name is Ian Cofrin and I’m from Boulder CO. I’m a 24 year old student at the University of Colorado. As a former firefighter, I’ve witnessed the life saving abilities of early warning. I’ve spent the past year spreading the word about cell broadcasting, because it has the potential to be one of the greatest life saving technologies in history. This system is both fast and efficient. We already have the technology; it is time to implement it.
Some people choose to ignore world issues. They would rather change the channel than get up and take some initiative. Whether we like or not, we are all part of the global community. This video illustrates one of the many ways we can make the world a better place. As Bertrand Russell said, “The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.”
I am sending this message to everyone who will listen because I believe it could SAVE COUNTLESS INNOCENT LIVES!
My name is Ian Cofrin. I am a former firefighter. After the Virginia Tech Massacre I proposed a modification to the Emergency Broadcast/Alert System. Almost a year later this life saving technology is still being ignored. I have done extensive research on this matter. I have spoke with firefighters and IT professors, all of whom confirmed that this system is possible using existing technology. I implore you to spread the word, and help implement, this available technology. I believe this would undoubtedly save lives.
Since my original proposal, [“Reverse 911 Text Messaging” - 4/20/2007], many institutions, such as the University of Colorado, have implemented a variation of this system. Yet, to receive SMS alert notifications, an individual must be an affiliate of that institution and register/subscribe for the service. Consequently, this method of utilization, limits accessibility potential and neglects geographic targeting.
I have posted a 5 min. PSA styled video on youtube to explain how this system works.
Early warnings and efficient communication are powerful tools when it comes to saving lives. Despite all of our technological breakthroughs, the “Emergency Broadcast/Alert System” remains terribly inefficient and outdated.
All over the world, cell phones are quickly becoming one of the most accessible forms of communication technology. Hence, they are an ideal medium for emergency notification. SMS, or text messaging, offers rapid notification delivery with very little bandwidth consumption across cellular networks. Mass text messaging is already being used for “Amber Alerts” and for announcements from your cellular service provider.
Using current technology, we can target emergency broadcasts to wireless network towers, “cells”, in the vicinity of a threat. (i.e. send a warning SMS through all of the cell towers in the target vicinity of a tsunami or hurricane) In effect, the accessibility and efficiency of SMS notification, in conjunction with the geographic delivery precision of “Reverse 911”, would facilitate an Emergency Broadcast/Alert System that is more accessible, efficient, and geographically specific.
A public service announcement addressing the problems of the current Emergency Alert System. Delivered by TRON.
Early Warning and efficient communication are powerful tools when it comes to saving lives. Despite all of our technological breakthroughs, the “Emergency Alert System” remains terribly inefficient.
Cellular networks are capable of (using current technology) delivering geographically specific warnings/notifications. Furthermore, cellular phones are quickly becoming one of the most accessible forms of communication technology; 1stworld – 3rd world alike. There are 2,168,433,600 Cell phones in use as of 2005. By the year 2011, Global cellular penetration is projected to reach 75%.
I chose to represent this message with a “TRON” theme because I wanted to illustrate how technology can be used to help humanity. I found this film to be quite appropriate as it depicts man and machine working together for a common good. “TRON” further conveys this point, as it was the 1st movie to use Computer Graphic Imagery (only 15 min; the rest was animated by hand). Hence, man and machine quite literally worked together to produce the footage.
Though this video was not as fluid as I had intended, I believe it carries an important message. A few changes to our Emergency Alert System, could save countless lives all across the globe.
By Ian Cofrin
Video Footage:
“Me on KY3 News”
“UNC Emergency Plan (SMS)”
“Tsunami Relief by the Red Cross”
“Virginia Tech Massacre”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5nGtnMA8PzM
How stuff works “Cell Phone”
http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm
TRON (1982)
Directed by:
Steven Lisberger & Robert Meyer Burnett
Produced by:
Donald Kushner & Harrison Ellenshaw
Written by:
Steven Lisberger & Bonnie MacBird
Studio:
Buena Vista & Walt Disney Video
Music:
“Voodoo People”
Performed by Prodigy
Music for the Jilted Generation, 1994
I am sending this message to anyone/everyone that will listen because I believe it could SAVE COUNTLESS INNOCENT LIVES!
Recent events (Virginia Tech Massacre) as well as many other tragedies around the world (Hurricanes, tornados, terrorist attacks, etc.) all share something in common…
THE DEATHS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE!
In each case, efficient use of communication could have saved lives. Reverse 911 calls have helped save lives for quite some time. Yet, for some reason, emergency broadcasts are not being utilized with cell phones.
Using current technology, we can triangulate a person’s location using the service towers their cell phones are linked to. Ok… so why don’t we send emergency broadcasts to warn people (via SMS – text messages) of threats in a specific area? Mass text messaging is already being used for “Amber Alerts” as well as various other notifications (i.e. announcement from your cell phone service provider).
I have been researching the limitations of cellular networks and thus far I cannot find ANYTHING that might inhibit a system of Cellular Emergency Broadcasts. If there is some reason this system wouldn’t work… I know we can figure out a way that it could.
I am sending this message to anyone/everyone that will listen and I urge you to pass it along.
A simple adjustment to our cellular networks could SAVE COUNTLESS INNOCENT LIVES!
Cellular Emergency Alert System
Related Video: (Film Your Issue 2008 Entry: “How many more will it take?”)
A public service announcement addressing the problems of the current Emergency Alert System. Delivered by TRON.
Early Warning and efficient communication are powerful tools when it comes to saving lives. Despite all of our technological breakthroughs, the “Emergency Alert System” remains terribly inefficient.
Cellular networks are capable of (using current technology) delivering geographically specific warnings/notifications. Furthermore, cellular phones are quickly becoming one of the most accessible forms of communication technology; 1stworld – 3rd world alike. There are 2,168,433,600 Cell phones in use as of 2005. By the year 2011, Global cellular penetration is projected to reach 75%.
I chose to represent this message with a “TRON” theme because I wanted to illustrate how technology can be used to help humanity. I found this film to be quite appropriate as it depicts man and machine working together for a common good. “TRON” further conveys this point, as it was the 1st movie to use Computer Graphic Imagery (only 15 min; the rest was animated by hand). Hence, man and machine quite literally worked together to produce the footage.
Though this video was not as fluid as I had intended, I believe it carries an important message. A few changes to our Emergency Alert System, could save countless lives all across the globe.
By Ian Cofrin
Video Footage:
“Me on KY3 News”
“UNC Emergency Plan (SMS)”
“Tsunami Relief by the Red Cross”
“Virginia Tech Massacre”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5nGtnMA8PzM
How stuff works “Cell Phone”
http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm
TRON (1982)
Directed by:
Steven Lisberger & Robert Meyer Burnett
Produced by:
Donald Kushner & Harrison Ellenshaw
Written by:
Steven Lisberger & Bonnie MacBird
Studio:
Buena Vista & Walt Disney Video
Music:
“Voodoo People”
Performed by Prodigy
Music for the Jilted Generation, 1994
November 14, 2007 Posted by regul8r | Digital Art, Life, REGUL8R, Society, Technology, Thoughts, Video | Alert, analysis, Cellular, commentary, Emergency, Humanity, Life Saving, Message, PSA, SMS, Technology, Tron, Video | 1 Comment