More disaster prep-

10/17/06 - Mayor Newsom Announces Launch of Emergency Text-Message Alerting
System

San Francisco, CA ­ In commemoration of the 17th anniversary of the Loma
Prieta earthquake, Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the launch of AlertSF,
a new emergency text-message alerting system for the public, coordinated
through the Department of Emergency Management. This new system ­ powered
by the Roam Secure Alert Network ­ will provide post-disaster information
and tsunami alerts in the event of an earthquake or major disaster, to those
who sign up for free at http://www.alertsf.org/. AlertSF will deliver
messages to registered email accounts and wireless devices such as cell
phones, Blackberrys, text-capable pagers and PDAs.

³Since text messaging is one of the most popular ways of communicating
today, AlertSF will be an important tool to help San Franciscans stay
informed when a disaster occurs,² said Mayor Newsom.

³AlertSF will send registrants vital information and instructions such as
tsunami alerts and shelter information in certain types of emergencies,²
said Deputy Director of Emergency Services Annemarie Conroy.

Text messaging has proven to be a reliable means of communication,
especially when other systems are down, as was the case after 9/11 and
Hurricane Katrina. Roam Secure technology is being used to power similar
systems in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and San Mateo County.

The AlertSF system allows users to indicate zip codes and specific addresses
in the City that concern them. This specific information will allow users
to receive alerts targeted to their neighborhoods. In the future, the
system may be expanded to include other types of information such as traffic
delays, power outages, and road closures.

An advertising campaign is currently appearing on approximately 134 MUNI
buses, 2,000 interior bus cards and 30 bus shelters throughout the City to
encourage residents and visitors to register for AlertSF.

AlertSF messages can currently be sent in English and Spanish. Most
text-capable devices in the U.S. can only receive messages in languages that
utilize the Roman alphabet. Messages in additional languages may be
available in the future as wireless device technology develops.

While registration for AlertSF is free of charge, text message charges may
apply for system users, depending on the wireless carrier and plan.


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