Wireless RERC - Emergency Communications

Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop Recap

mz22 — Fri, 06 May 2016 14:00:52 +0000

Publication Type:

Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop Recap

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) hosted an Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop on April 14, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop was coordinated by Christina Touzet and held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center. Forty-four (44) individuals representing local, state, federal and academic leaders who play a role in emergency communications were in attendance. This one day workshop heightened awareness among stakeholders about the need for accessible emergency communications and feasible approaches to ensure timely lifesaving information from the public safety officials is sent to people with disabilities.

The day began with two panels in the morning. The first panel gave an Update on Federal, State, and Local Emergency Communications, moderated by Helena Mitchell, Ph.D. The panelists included: Charles McCobb, Mary Hudak, and Susan Loeffler. Charles McCobb, from IPAWS - FEMA / DHS, gave an overview of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and the common alerting protocol. Charles also discussed the future of emergency notification systems, and leveraging communications pathways via connected devices. Mary Hudak explained the regional level emergency communications operations and specifically how critical it is to engage the “whole community.” In order to engage with the “whole community” it is important to work with independent living centers in each state and offer assistive technology at the disaster recovery centers. “We aim to give the right information at the right time so people can make the right decisions.” Susan Loeffler provided insight on how DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency utilizes Code Red, social media and coordination with local organizations to reach their population of people with disabilities. DeKalb County issues Code Red, however only 5% of the population has opted in; as a result they are in the process of becoming an IPAWS alerting authority. Director Loeffler discussed how critical it is to create an initiative to get preparedness information out in the school system and to reach the kids who will share the information with their parents.

The second panel discussed State and Local Initiatives, moderated by Rick Wimberly, Galain Solutions. The panelists included: Wayne Smith, Betsy Kagey, Ph.D., Jennifer Hogan, and Kay Chiodo. Wayne Smith, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, provided insight about how the state level coordinates with the local level for emergency communications purposes. Betsy Kagey spoke about the Georgia Department of Public Health Emergency Communications initiatives and use of GIS to make responders aware of the medically at risk non-institutionalized population. Georgia has 159 counties and 18 health districts, it is necessary to connect with the populations that do not use social media and also the populations that are homebound. Jennifer Hogan spoke about the Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities. She provided tips guides to attendees that provide tips for awareness to identify the unique needs of people with disabilities in an emergency. The quick reference provides specific, practical tips for working with people who have a wide range of disabilities. Kay Chiodo, CEO of DeafLink educated the audience on accessible emergency communications and how important it is to incorporate ASL video features into emergency alerts.

Following the two panels, at lunch time, was a poster and demo session for attendees to experience emergency communications research, technology, and additional resources. Demos included: Hamilton/Georgia Relay, FEMA IPAWS, FEMA Region IV, Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition, Accessible Weather App, Deaf Link Inc., Wireless RERC Research, and Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts with ASL video feature, etc.

In the afternoon the Winter Storm Tabletop Exercise – a Discovery & Exploration was facilitated by Thomas Kempton, an emergency management consultant for the Wireless RERC. The tabletop exercise consisted of modules that reviewed different types of winter weather alerts, warnings and watches. Each table was able to discuss each of the modules as a table and troubleshoot different efforts made by agencies in relation to emergency communications. Each table discussed issues that could arise and how to communicate in an accessible manner throughout the alert and warning stages.

This tabletop exercise featured actual NWS generated weather watches and weather warnings for a winter storm in the Atlanta metro area. After presentation of each input the moderator posed a series of questions and each table was given time to discuss and then report out on what their discussions had revealed.

Attendees reported countless benefits from the day, including: greater awareness, networking, expanding horizons, gained knowledge in new areas, learned how to communicate with different agencies, excellent opportunity to learn from other experts and share mutual experiences and lessons learned, learned various challenges related to inclusion of people with disabilities or access and functional needs.

FCC to Host Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum

mz22 — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:38:08 +0000

Emergency Communications

Accessible Emergency Information

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum

October 2014 – The FCC announced it will host a forum next month promoting accessibility in wireless emergency communications. The event will allow industry and emergency communications specialists the opportunity to present innovations in services, emergency, assistive and accessible technologies that increase information and communications access in the event of an emergency. With goals of advancing inclusive and accessible wireless emergency communications for all, the sessions will include presentations from wireless carriers, government agencies, academia, advocates and providers of accessible notifications systems. The Wireless RERC and Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy will participate in a panel titled, Disability Strategies for Research and Action in the Field. Other panels will cover government strategies concerning inclusive emergency alerts and warnings; the transition to next-generation 911 capabilities; and outreach and engagement strategies.

Throughout the day, the FCC’s Technology Experience Center will have an exhibition of prototypes and technology solutions designed to increase independence and protective active decisions by people with disabilities during times of local or national emergencies.

The event will begin on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 9am, at the FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. This free event is open to the public, and will be available via live webcast at www.fcc.gov/live.

For additional information please contact Kelly Jones of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at Kelly.Jones@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-7078.

Wireless RERC Researcher Authors NCD Report on Emergency Communications

mz22 — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 16:59:00 +0000

National Council on Disability (NCD)

Emergency Communications

NCD Report

Original NCD Funding Announcement

Publication Type:

Reports

Dr. James White, Director of Communications Studies at Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) and Wireless RERC researcher, authored the recently published National Council on Disability (NCD) report: Effective Communication for People with Disabilities Before, During, and After Emergencies Evaluated. Officially released at their May 27^th briefing, the report focuses on the accessibility of emergency communication for people with intellectual, sensory, psychiatric and developmental disabilities. Of note, Dr. White’s study outlined various barriers and best practices that would assist in providing effective communication for people with disabilities. “Examples of the communications challenges facing people with disabilities in emergency situations abound,” stated Dr. White. “People with disabilities can face challenges in physical mobility and receipt of critical, lifesaving information.” The report itself pulled from research that the Wireless RERC has been conducting since 2004.

FEMA Now Accepting Applications for National Advisory Council

mz22 — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:36:23 +0000

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

National Advisory Council

emergency preparedness

Emergency Communications

FEMA Press Release

February 2014 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now seeking applicants to serve on the National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC, composed of 35 subject matter experts in the field of emergency management, provides direct council to the FEMA Administrator to ensure “effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation” for natural and technological disasters. The three-year positions are currently available for individuals in the following disciplines:

Disabilities
Emergency Management
Emergency Response
Non-Elected Local Government Officials
Elected Tribal Government Officials
Health Scientists
Communications
Infrastructure Protection
Standards Settings and Accrediting

Interested individuals are asked to submit a Cover Letter and Resume to the Office of National Advisory Council by March 14, 2014.

New Rules for Text-to-911

mz22 — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:23:37 +0000

Text-to-911

Emergency Communications

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Report and Order [PS Docket No. 11-153] and [PS Docket No. 10-255]

May 17, 2013 —The FCC released a Report and Order [FCC 13-64] regarding the roll out of text-to-911, specifically requiring wireless carriers as well as providers of text messaging services to provide a “bounce-back” message to consumers who attempt to use text-to-911 but where the service is unavailable or the text is unable to be transmitted. Text-to-911 is currently available in a limited number of areas, but will become more widely available as more areas transition to Next Generation 911. Therefore, the FCC notes that to “reduce the risk of a person sending a text message to 911 in an emergency and mistakenly believing that 911 authorities have received it,” the reply message will tell the consumer that their message was not received and provide “directions to use another means to contact emergency services.” The rules become effective June 28, 2013.

Making Emergency Information via Video Programming Accessible

mz22 — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:38:47 +0000

text-to-speech

Emergency Communications

accessibility

disabilities

Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 13-45)

April 08, 2013— The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released a Report and Order and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) (FCC 13-45) related to the accessibility of emergency information provided in video programming. The Report and Order requires that emergency information communicated via video programming is accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This includes the requirement of an aural presentation of the emergency information on a secondary audio stream that must be conveyed at least twice in full. The use of text-to-speech (TTS) technologies is permitted for providing the aural presentation. In addition, the Report and Order also establishes apparatus requirements for the transmission of emergency information and video description to individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the apparatus is required to “receive, play back, or record video programming transmitted simultaneously with sound.” TTS capability is permitted, but not required.

The Commission also seeks comments on whether a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) service should be covered by the emergency information rules adopted in the Report and Order and required to comply specifically when their subscribers are provided access to linear video programming that contains emergency information via tablets, laptops, personal computers, or smartphones. In addition, comments are sought regarding the requirement for broadcast receivers to “detect and decode audio streams marked for the visually impaired” and whether covered entities should be required to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired in traversing between main and secondary audio streams.

Emergency Access Advisory Committee Meets on March 1

mz22 — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:13:26 +0000

January 31, 2013— The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the next meeting of the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) will be held on March 1, 2013 at the FCC headquarters in Washington, DC from 10:30am to 3:30pm EST. The agenda includes discussion on reports from select EAAC subcommittees, as they relate to accessibility to 911 services by individuals with disabilities. The EAAC was established by the FCC on December 7, 2010, with the purpose of identifying and recommending the "most effective and efficient technologies and methods by which to enable access to Next Generation 911 (NG 9-1-1) emergency services by individuals with disabilities."

Start Date:

Friday, March 1, 2013 - 10:30am to 3:30pm

Additional Information:

Public Notice

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Emergency Communications

Emergency Services

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Wireless RERC Presents at CSUN 2013

mz22 — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:23:29 +0000

CSUN 2013

Social Media

Emergency Communications

Apps

Conference Details

Publication Type:

Presentations

Four Wireless RERC papers will be featured at the 2013 International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) in San Diego, February 25-March 2, 2013. The papers include: App Factory: Assistive and Accessibility App, which will be a demo session; Wireless Technology Use and Disability based on the Survey of User Needs; Social Media, Public Emergencies & Disability, which is related to the Survey on Emergency Communications; and Survey Says! National EAS Test Accessibility Study that discusses the on-line survey and focus groups conducted in November 2011. Come meet us in San Diego!

James White, PhD awarded Contract with NCD

blippincott4 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:49:25 +0000

Wireless RERC News

Emergency Communications

National Council on Disability

NCD

CACP Press Release

June 25, 2012 – Wireless RERC Director of Communications Studies, James White, PhD, has been awarded a contract with the National Council on Disability to conduct a study on effective communication for people with disabilities before, during and after emergencies. The study will examine the accessibility of current emergency communication and will document best practices and possible barriers to effective emergency-related communication. In addition, the study will examine current disability laws that pertain to emergency communication and will survey people with disabilities to determine their experiences and perceptions relating to emergency communications. [Source: Center for Advanced Communications Policy]

End of the M-EAS Pilot Program

blippincott4 — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:23:32 +0000

04.16.2012 – April marked the end of the year-long Mobile Emergency Alert System (M-EAS) Pilot Project sponsored by PBS, LG Electronics, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Dr. Jong Kim, the president of Zenith R&D Lab, a subsidiary of LG Electronics working on the project highlights the importance of the project in his statement "We're showing how mobile emergency alerts might be received by a new generation of smartphones that are equipped to receive mobile DTV broadcasts as well as telephone and Internet access. We think this new system will be extremely valuable to federal, state and local emergency management agencies and the public they serve, while extending the community service role of public and commercial broadcasters alike," The PBS and LG Electronics performed its first public demonstration at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The Vegas PBS transmitted emergency alerts to simulate scenarios such as AMBER Alerts, suspicious packages, and tsunami and tornado warnings. The alerts are transmitted via mobile DTV signals to DTV-equipped mobile devices such as phones, navigation systems, or laptops and contain rich media content such as video, audio, text and graphics. Enhanced emergency alerts are extremely important for people with disabilities, especially in providing improved accessibility. In addition, M-EAS “requires no additional spectrum and is an additional use of existing TV transmitters and towers.” [Source: PR Newswire]