Disaster plan bolsters network

Improvements to emergency alerts include possible use of cell phones to share news

The state Civil Defense chief envisions a day when island residents would receive text messages on their cell phones to inform them of emergencies and natural disasters.

Ways to improve disaster alerts The Governor's Comprehensive Communications Review Committee made some proposals to improve communications during disasters, including: » Update state Emergency Alert System plan, including whether local primary broadcast stations have the ability to broadcast in emergencies. » Establish a media center in the state Civil Defense operations annex to provide communications access. » Provide the media with updates every 30 minutes. » Explore possible automatic transmissions of messages through the Emergency Alert System with television and radio stations as is done during hazardous weather conditions. » Create a dedicated Civil Defense Web site to provide the media with updates. » Assess the feasibility of transmitting emergency information via text messaging for cellular phones.

"The wave of the future is not to count on our traditional means of informing people," said Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, state adjutant general. "Technology has changed, and we need to look at multiple means beyond the traditional Civil Defense outlets."

The prospect of relaying government information on cell phones and other personal digital devices was one of several recommendations generated by the Governor's Comprehensive Communications Review Committee. The committee, convened by Gov. Linda Lingle after the Oct. 15 earthquakes near the Big Island, released its report yesterday.

The state will take a more proactive role in spreading information through the news media under several of the recommendations. It will establish an information center for reporters in former National Guard facilities inside Diamond Head, provide updates to the media every 30 minutes or as often as possible, and create a Civil Defense Web site. The state will transmit messages on radio and television through the statewide Emergency Alert System as is done for hazardous weather conditions and might use the electronic overhead signs on freeways.

Government officials, news media representatives and others brainstormed for the past two months on ways to inform the public about dangerous situations. They examined the communications problems following the damaging October earthquakes and the subsequent power blackout on Oahu which left 80 percent of television and radio stations off the air for hours.

Topping the committee's list was a goal to update the state Emergency Alert System. Lee said it formerly provided that a Civil Defense message would be sent if an earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale, but the first Oct. 15 quake was 6.7 so nothing was immediately transmitted. In a first step of change in the 12-year-old rules, information was broadcast Thanksgiving Day about another earthquake that measured 5.0 and did no major damage.

"We've got an agreement with the media; if we send a message, they will play it," Lee said.

In another change, the county civil defense agencies have taken over the routine emergency broadcasts on the first business day of the month and could relay information specific to their islands.

Wireless communications companies were represented on the committee and have agreed to explore the feasibility of sending systemwide emergency alerts to customers, according to the report.

"With the use of cell phones, we could reach people who are at the beach, driving in cars," said Lee. "I don't know of a family that doesn't have cell phones. In an emergency their concern is about the welfare of the whole family. This would help them with information, and it would help us because people would not be jumping into cars to check on everyone else."

The state Civil Defense chief said he has discussed the digital alert idea with Jay Cohen, an undersecretary in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "They are interested. We would like to see Hawaii be a pilot in using this way of mass transmitting of information."

Other recommendations included working with the consular corps to establish ways to communicate with non-English-speaking visitors and to assist foreign-language radio stations KZOO and KNDI to establish backup power generators.

News businesses agreed to participate in an enhanced education campaign promoting ways that the public can prepare for and react to emergencies.