A recent writer and city counsel meeting raised concerns about the lack of notification for the Windsor tornado. As students at Colorado State University, my husband and I both received notification of the storm via text messages broadcast from CSU to our cell phones.
This text-based broadcast system was adopted by universities like CSU following the Virginia Tech shootings to warn students about campus violence. In order to receive such broadcasts, students need only to provide their cell phone number.
There are about 25,000 students at CSU, roughly half the population of Loveland. However, use of cell phones in this age group is virtually universal, likely more so than in cities like Loveland.
A few years ago, a representative from Verizon Wireless told me that during blackouts in New York the users of text messages were able to send messages to friends and families through otherwise overloaded cell towers.
Because text messages are shorter than voice messages, and don’t require analog to digital conversion, they can be sent in high volume more cheaply and efficiently. The Barack Obama presidential campaign uses text messaging to notify subscribers of breaking events. So does the New York TImes.
Communities like Loveland use a reverse-911 system for notifying residents of potential problems. This system was used in some areas of Loveland that were at high risk of being struck by recent tornadoes. Because such systems require the use of voice messages, they’re probably slower than broadcast text messages.
It’s possible Loveland could use a text-messaging system like CSU’s. This would have the advantage over sirens of reaching residents while they’re shopping or at work (and even when they’re on vacation!) Because it’s not necessary to “answer” text messages, such a system shouldn’t present a hazard to drivers.
Many Loveland residents are elderly. Cell phone technology isn’t particularly senior-friendly. One manufacturer, Jitterbug, markets cell phones specifically designed for elderly customers. I don’t know if Jitterbug phones support text messaging.
In spite of my background in computer science, I found it challenging to learn how to send text messages. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to receive them.
This text-based broadcast system was adopted by universities like CSU following the Virginia Tech shootings to warn students about campus violence. In order to receive such broadcasts, students need only to provide their cell phone number.
There are about 25,000 students at CSU, roughly half the population of Loveland. However, use of cell phones in this age group is virtually universal, likely more so than in cities like Loveland.
A few years ago, a representative from Verizon Wireless told me that during blackouts in New York the users of text messages were able to send messages to friends and families through otherwise overloaded cell towers.
Because text messages are shorter than voice messages, and don’t require analog to digital conversion, they can be sent in high volume more cheaply and efficiently. The Barack Obama presidential campaign uses text messaging to notify subscribers of breaking events. So does the New York TImes.
Communities like Loveland use a reverse-911 system for notifying residents of potential problems. This system was used in some areas of Loveland that were at high risk of being struck by recent tornadoes. Because such systems require the use of voice messages, they’re probably slower than broadcast text messages.
It’s possible Loveland could use a text-messaging system like CSU’s. This would have the advantage over sirens of reaching residents while they’re shopping or at work (and even when they’re on vacation!) Because it’s not necessary to “answer” text messages, such a system shouldn’t present a hazard to drivers.
Many Loveland residents are elderly. Cell phone technology isn’t particularly senior-friendly. One manufacturer, Jitterbug, markets cell phones specifically designed for elderly customers. I don’t know if Jitterbug phones support text messaging.
In spite of my background in computer science, I found it challenging to learn how to send text messages. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to receive them.
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