The Chairman of the FCC is investigating how a false alert about a missile was sent to people in Hawaii this weekend.
The alert was distributed through the same system used around the country for various types of other messages, including in Missouri.
Called the Wireless Emergency Alert, or “WEA,” the FCC Chairman says it’s a public-private partnership that lets federal, state, and local officials send alerts about public safety messages. The information looks like a text message but includes a special tone and vibration.
FEMA says there are three types of WEA messages:
1. Extreme weather and other threatening emergencies in the area
2. AMBER alerts
3. Presidential Alerts during a national emergency
The service is offered free through most wireless carriers. Cell phone users can opt-out of any of the messages, except for the Presidential alerts.
Local emergency managers can send alerts, too.
The City of St. Louis works with a company called Nixle to send subscribers texts, email, and social media alerts when necessary.
“We live in a very fast paced life, people get media from everywhere,” said Gary Christmann, Commissioner for the City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency. “We want to make sure they're getting the correct information from our source in the City of St. Louis.”
Christman said alerts will be sent for significant weather events, hazmat situations, or any other disaster scenario. Many people are involved in issuing an alert, to avoid error.
“We clear it through all of the different layers — myself, our communications officer and if necessary, depending on type of disaster, we may consult with health department, street department, agency that is probably going to be the responsible part for that event,” he said.
Unlike the WEA alerts, cell phone owners have to sign up for Nixle alerts. The service is free.
Christmann said its easy – and users can pick whether they want to receive texts, emails, or social media messages. He hopes they’ll choose all three.
“It’s very important for us to make sure that message is correct,” he said. “It’s accurate, and going out in a timely manner.”
