ALERT FM Expanded into Six States via National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Remote Community Alert System Grant

JACKSON, Miss., Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Security Systems, LLC announced today that since 2008, eight (8) ALERT FM projects in six (6) states have been funded by the Remote Community Alert System Program grant sponsored by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

"Because of this grant, 51 rural counties in Alabama, California, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas have been able to expand their existing emergency notification capabilities or implement an emergency notification system for the very first time," Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, LLC (owner and operator of ALERT FM), said.

ALERT FM is an FM radio-based emergency notification system that allows state/local emergency officials to send out information via the data subcarrier of local FM radio stations to ALERT FM mobile, wall, and USB receivers. Similar to the Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA), the ALERT FM receivers include memory and messages are received as a text up to 140 characters. Not unlike a NOAA all hazard radio, the ALERT FM receiver also receives automated NWS/ NOAA weather warning via a digital transport system rather than analog.  Messages are geo-targeted, text-based and stored weather alerts.  Receivers are easy-to-program and can be purchased by residents, businesses, schools, or government agencies.

"ALERT FM's variety of receiving devices are a great asset to my county because they provide us with fixed devices for public/government buildings and portable devices that can be carried by the public and first responders," Kevin Cagle, emergency management director, Decatur County, Tenn, said.

The Remote Community Alert System Program grant was available in 2008, 2009, and 2010 to state governments, US territories and possessions, and tribal nations. The program provided for alerting technologies for rural areas, defined as a population of less than 100 people per square mile,  and was a contributing element to the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act.

"The National Weather Service is pleased to see this new technology assist remote and rural communities in strengthening their emergency management operations. The integration of NWS alert information into community decision support tools is critical for the protection of life and property when severe weather threatens," Craig Hodan, manager of NWS Dissemination Systems Branch, said.

About ALERT FM

ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 70 million people in 14 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Media Contact:
Michelle Thiac
Global Security Systems
601-709-4240
[email protected]

SOURCE Global Security Systems, LLC