A concept and prototype for the integration of multi-channel disaster alert systems

Abstract

In many countries, the responsibility for issuing disaster alerts to the general population lies with different local, regional, or national authorities. These disaster alert systems are usually managed independently and without any automatic co-ordination. However, it would be highly beneficial for system operators (a) to obtain an overview of the crisis communication that other actors have already undertaken, and (b), to integrate as many dissemination channels as possible to maximize the impact of alerts. This paper presents a concept for such a holistic alert solution, as well as a prototypical implementation of the system. The prototype also allows for a personalization of alert messages for different groups of recipients such as tourists or people with different types of disabilities.