Can we use FEMA wireless emergency alerts like Twitter?



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President Donald Trump enjoys speaking directly to the American people, usually via his Twitter account with early morning consciousnessflows that can create headaches for his own administration, including his communications team.

But will he be brazen enough to use a federal disaster alert system capable of sending SMS to all people in America, as he used his Twitter account? His many critics may fear him, especially with the crisp mid-month of November approaching.

However, it would be imprudent to share personal messages with the new Federal Emergency Management Agency system, which gives the president the opportunity to reach every mobile device in the country. This is what is called Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).

Donald Trump FEMA Wireless Alert President Donald Trump addresses the press before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on September 19th in Washington, DC. Trump will be able to send a mobile message to every American as part of FEMA 's new emergency alert system. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images

Why? Because unethical, it is illegal.

The 2015 Modernization of the Integrated Warning and Public Warning System Act regulates the use of emergency alert systems.

"Except to the extent necessary to test the alert and warning system, the public warning and warning system shall not be used to transmit a message unrelated to a natural disaster, terrorist act or another disaster or threat of human origin. to public safety, "says the law.

There are also federal laws prohibiting the use of official resources for campaigning or political purposes, which Mr. Trump would likely face if he used the WEA for his own purposes.

Even if Trump had eyes on the use of the system for his own benefit, he would have a hard time overtaking the officials who run it, and he would risk being sued if he succeeded.

"The idea of ​​the alert is that the president should be able to reach residents in case of emergency," said Nick Crossley, president of the International Association of Emergency Executives, at NBC News. "And that's his only goal."

FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a national emergency alert system (EAS) and emergency wireless alert (WEA) test on October 3 between 2:18 pm and 2:20 pm EDT.

EAS distributes messages to broadcasters and broadcasters, cable operators, radio and satellite television providers and wireline video service providers. The WEA will be broadcast from mobile towers to mobile devices within range.

During the test, the EAS message will read: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Warning System." This system was developed by the broadcasting and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission and local authorities for you. keep informed in case of emergency.

"If this had really been an emergency, an official message would have followed the sound alert you heard at the beginning of this message.A similar wireless alarm test message was sent to all mobile phones. other people will not do it, no action is required. "

The WEA message will read, "THIS IS A TEST of the national wireless emergency alert system, no action is needed."

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