NEW ORLEANS, April 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Global Security Systems, LLC "GSS", is excited to announce that the British Virgin Islands "BVI" is the first Caribbean territory to implement the complete ALERT FM system for emergency notification. Their ALERT FM system includes both the FM Radio Data System "RDS" notification to ALERT FM receivers and our ALERT FM mobile application for iOS and Android. Although the island nation of Aruba currently uses the ALERT FM mobile application as part of the emergency notification system, BVI is the first territory or island nation to with FM RDS system.
Following the massive devastation to the islands caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017, the BVI Department of Disaster Management "DDM" began looking for a redundant emergency notification system that could remain viable even in the worst conditions including no power, no cellphone service and/ or no landline telephone service. The project to add ALERT FM to the Islands' early warning system was funded through a "Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Loan" from Caribbean Development Bank.
"Because the Islands are a prime target for tropical systems including major hurricanes, we are always looking for ways to upgrade and improve our early warning system," Jason Penn, DDM Emergency Communication Manager, said. "ALERT FM is great addition to our existing network and provides redundant contact paths to keep our residents informed."
ALERT FM provides island-wide emergency information to be relayed to residents using the RDS of local FM radio stations. Residents can receive this information on battery-powered ALERT FM receivers which keep users informed even when the power is out or cellular service is down.The BVI islands-wide ALERT FM system includes:
- An Alert Studio portal for message origination
- 4 RDS encoders that were installed at local FM radio stations including ZCNB, ZCSS, and ZKING
- 200 ALERT FM portable receivers and 50 ALERT FM Wall Receivers to be installed across the Islands in schools and public buildings
- ALERT FM mobile application for citizen notification. It can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
"We are thrilled to expand ALERT FM into BVI to help with hurricane, tsunami, flood watches / warnings and other emergency communications," Robert L Adams, CEO of GSS, said. "Because ALERT FM is FM broadcast-based, it is capable of assisting other Caribbean territories and islands nations that suffer from communication debilitating storms. It is our goal to expand ALERT FM to all Caribbean territories and island nations in the near future."
About Global Security Systems, LLC ("GSS")
Global Security Systems is a systems integrator, service provider and manufacturer of the ALERT FM, Alert Studio and GSSNet, a satellite data delivery system. GSS has participated in the development of IPAWS based systems, is a member of the Commercial Mobile Alert Service systems committee (now called Wireless Emergency Alerts), and is actively involved with several EAS and CAP committees. They are also closely working with the United States Geological Survey and the United States National Weather Service to provide rapid emergency alerts for earthquakes, active shooters, and tornadic events in less than five seconds. The GSS nationwide GSSNet satellite data delivery system for emergency alerts currently is in operation on over 550 radio stations in 17 states, Canada and BVI; is growing daily and includes the ability to generate and deliver CAP messages. The network receives support from radio broadcast associations including the National Association of Broadcasters and state broadcast associations across the country. Corporate website: http://www.alertfm.com
SOURCE ALERT FM
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