Deaf Needed to test new Emergency System

NPR Labs will get federal money to work on delivering emergency alerts to the deaf along the Gulf Coast through local public radio stations. The goal is to show that battery-powered radios will keep people informed during emergencies even when electricity, the Internet and other communications channels are disrupted. This pilot system developed by the research arm of NPR is supported by Homeland Security and FEMA and offers real-time emergency messages, such as weather alerts. The system will work through CAP, the Common Alerting Protocol. CAP is the emergency system that took the place of the EAS (Emergency Alert System) and before that the EBS (Emergency Broadcast System). There will be 25 public radio stations in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas involved in the testing since the Gulf Coast often contends with hurricanes and tornadoes. During the test, the stations will broadcast alerts to receivers that can accept text messages. Deaf volunteers will be alerted to the message by a flashing indicator on their radios or a bed-shaker triggered by their radios.NPR Labs will look for 500 deaf people to volunteer in the effort. If all goes well, the system will be offer nationwide through public radio stations.