Memphis/ Shelby UASI Purchase FM Radio-based Emergency Communications System

Memphis/ Shelby UASI Purchase FM Radio-based Emergency Communications System

Six Counties are the First in Tennessee to Benefit from ALERT FM

JACKSON, Miss., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Security Systems (GSS) announced today that the Memphis/ Shelby Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) has purchased ALERT FM, an FM radio-based emergency alert and messaging system. This new system will benefit Crittenden County, Ark., DeSoto County, Miss., and Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton counties in Tennessee.

ALERT FM will allow authorized emergency management officials to create and send alerts and messages to specific groups of first responders, businesses and citizens before, during and after a crisis. Because the system is FM radio-based, emergency information can be distributed to a large number of recipients in a matter of seconds. Targeted alerts and messages are delivered by satellite to the data subcarrier of FM transmission towers and can be received on ALERT FM receivers and other mobile devices, including PDAs, cell phones and other specialized receivers equipped with FM chips. Potential notifications include not only severe weather warnings but also evacuation instructions or traffic alerts after a disaster such as an earthquake or tornado.

"We are in the business of preparedness - either natural or manmade, and our first responsibility is the welfare of the citizens in our community," said Bob Nations, director of Shelby County Office of Preparedness. "We believe that the ALERT FM technology best enhances that capability because of its reliability, redundancy and its ability to deliver messages instantly."

The reliability and redundancy of ALERT FM lies in its use of a pre- existing network of FM towers, which in turn provides overlapping coverage of an area. The ALERT FM receivers automatically tune themselves to the strongest FM signal in their current location. The initial FM stations participating in ALERT FM for the six counties are WRBO (103.5), WKIM (98.9), WKNO (91.1) and WYPL (89.3). This ensures distribution over a large "footprint," giving emergency operation managers the potential to reach more than one million citizens in the six counties within seconds.

"Residents in these six counties will now be able to receive local emergency information as well as National Weather Service alerts through personal, portable ALERT FM receivers," said Jim Lowery, GSS general manager. "The recent storms that affected the Mid South area reminded us that timely notification of severe weather or simple communication after a catastrophic event can help save lives."

Citadel stations WRBO and WKIM have joined GSS for this announcement and encourage local broadcasters to support the ALERT FM system as a demonstration of their commitment to first responders, businesses and citizens. "As licensed public trustees, broadcasters are committed to meeting the public's interest by providing awareness and information to citizens," said Dave Atkins, marketing chief engineer, Citadel Memphis Radio Group. "We believe very strongly in the ALERT FM system because it uses technology that is already in place to make our listeners aware of weather warnings or other disasters."

ALERT FM receivers are now available to consumers. Easily programmable, the devices run on AA batteries and have no recurring fees after purchase.

   For more information visit www.alertfm.com .    About ALERT FM  

ALERT FM is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency alerts and messages. Potential messages include severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials and citizens can receive these alerts and messages 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 12 million people in seven states have access to ALERT FM technology.

About Global Security Systems LLC

Global Security Systems LLC is a systems integrator, developer and operator of the ALERT FM system. The company has its headquarters in Jackson, Miss., with offices in Louisiana, Florida and Washington, D.C.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: mjohnson@godwin.com

Source: Global Security Systems LLC

CONTACT: Meredith Johnson of GodwinGroup, +1-601-360-9418,
mjohnson@godwin.com

Web site: http://www.alertfm.com/

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