SMS alerts save lives

Thirty-nine people were killed when severe tornadoes swept through ten US states in early March but, according to reports, the death toll would have been a great deal higher if a complete early warning package - including SMS text alerts - had not been in place.

“Everyone knew that this tornado was coming and that it would be on the ground a long time,” tornado victim Roger Jones, 60, from Kentucky, told USA Today. “They were absolutely right on."

Local authorities and public sector bodies have been using text messaging as part of their emergency alert systems for some time now.

In the US, many local counties broadcast tornado text alerts to subscribers as soon as the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. The same systems are used to disseminate other emergency messages relating to the health, safety or welfare of local communities.

In Australia, federal governments use SMS alerts to broadcast bushfire, flood and even tsunami warnings to the public, while in Canada text alerts are part of the Ontario government's Emergency Public Warning System. This sends 'Red Alerts' to subscribers when a serious incident has occurred, such as a large fire or explosion; chemical leak or spill; nuclear emergency or extreme weather event.

Similar systems are in operation in the UK, but our public sector agencies are also finding more mundane, but practical uses for bulk SMS messaging. Examples include:

• Advising of changes to refuse collection during holidays or bad weather
• Warning of the unexpected closure of community facilities, such as libraries or leisure centres
• Hospital appointment reminders
• Court appearance reminders to witnesses
• Missing dog alerts to dog walkers
• Rental balance reminders for tenants

HSL supports a range of clients who use text messaging to communicate emergency alerts. For example, Newmont Mining Corporation in Indonesia, one of the world’s largest gold producers helps to protect its workforce of 7000 people and neighbouring communities through a Tsunami and tropical cyclone text alert warning system delivered by HSL. More information on how this works can be found at http://www.hslsms.com/about/clients/case-study-newmont/.

Dartmoor Search and Rescue Service has worked with HSL for the last five years using text messaging for emergency call outs for their team. This is also used as a two way communication system, as team members can confirm their attendance with a text reply. You can read about how Dartmoor’s Search and Rescue team works with HSL to protect visitors who get into difficulty here: http://hslsms.com/about/clients/case-study-dartmoor-search-and-rescue/.

You will find information on our mobile messaging solutions for the public sector on our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/public-sector/.

Alternatively, visit us at:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/hay-systems-ltd

follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

or call us on +44 (0)1506 605260

or email us at sales@haysystems.com

Business continuity: communicating with staff via text

Is your business prepared for disaster?

Perhaps you run a transport firm, and heavy snow is disrupting some routes. Maybe you are a city office manager, trying to contact staff during a terrorist alert. Or maybe you are in charge of operations at a large legal firm, trying to get things moving after a fire at your head office.

Whatever your business, you will find it difficult to function in a crisis situation if you have not planned your responses in advance.

Business continuity plans are an increasingly important part of running an organisation: in fact new research from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association and the Cabinet Office has revealed that having such a plan is likely to stop businesses failing after a major disruption such as a flood or fire.

Business continuity plans require firms to think through all the issues that could affect them, and to put in place systems and procedures to resolve any difficulties. Key areas to consider include:

· premises;

· equipment and machinery;

· people;

· transport; and

· communication

Communication is clearly a major issue in the three scenarios mentioned earlier. In each case those in charge need to contact a large number of people in a short space of time, providing warnings, information and instructions.

Text alerts are the obvious solution, as they allow messages to be sent instantly - and en masse - to individuals and groups of people around the country.

SMS messaging also has the advantage of being cost effective and, because it doesn't transmit over voice channels, will work at times of crisis - when the phone lines and mobile voice networks are likely to be jammed.

For more information on mobile messaging solutions visit us at:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/hay-systems-ltd

follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

or call us on +44 (0)1506 605 260

or email us at sales@haysystems.com