Wireless Rescue: The Role of Wireless SMS in a Global Tsunami Alert Network and Emergency Alert Systems

The recent South Asia earthquake & tsunami disaster underscored the need for improved international warning systems to provide advance alerts to governments and communities in affected regions. Wireless networks can play a critical role in implementing a more effective international warning network to provide instant SMS alerts to affected individuals, potentially saving many lives. Mobile-based emergency warning systems could also mitigate death and injury from a wide range of other natural disasters and we describe several recent trials in Canada.