In our many years in the alerts and notifications field, we don't recall a year when there's been so much movement, transition, and even confusion. The whole topic is changing. So, here's our list of Top Ten Developments in Alerts and Notifications in 2009:
1. System-of-Systems Momentum: To us, the most significant development of 2009 was momentum developing over a system-of-systems approach for alerts and notifications. During the year, it became more clear that end-users and industry are waking up to the fact that no single approach will do the job. There are many reasons for the realization. One of the most important is the evolution of individual communication preferences. There are clear signs of the momentum. In fact, no fewer than five of the items on our Top Ten list support the system-of-systems concept. Other signs include growth of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and announcement of technology partnerships by various vendors. (See "Showcasing Alerting Standards", "Meshing Alerts & Notifications with Other Solutions" and "Interesting Emergency Notification Partnerships Developing".) When we release our 2010 predictions in a few days, you'll see more on the system-of-systems topic.
2. CMAS Clock Starts Ticking: The timetable officially began this year for building a national cellular alerting system. FEMA and the FCC unveiled technical specifications for part of the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS). (See "CMAS Specifications Released", "Another Step for National Cell Alerting", and "National Cell Alerting Moves Forward".) If this doesn't seem important to you, then imagine this: a federal program through which most cell phones will receive emergency messages depending on their current location. Even people from outside the area who happen to be passing through could receive the messages. The system could be activated by local public safety officials for imminent threats or Amber Alerts. (The President could also use the system.) With the technical specifications approved in December, cell carriers now have 28 months to re-tool their infrastructure and make mobile devices support CMAS. This is a volunteer program for cell carriers, but most of them have already said they'll participate. Otherwise, new laws would give subscribers an "out" from their cellular service contracts.
3. IPAWS Criticized: The federal government's Intergrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) was criticized by Congress's General Accounting Office (GAO). (See "GAO Testimony Blasts IPAWS Program for Lack of Movement & Results"). The GAO audit cited weaknesses of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), lackluster pilot results, and poor collaboration. New IPAWS management testified in a Congressional hearing, accepted the criticsm, and pointed to signs of progress.
4. Social Media Buzz Spreads: Emergency management professionals throughout the country started talking about whether they should, and how they can, use social media for emergency alerting. Some have taken the plunge. Denver, for example. Twitter, MySpace, and YouTube are all used. (See "Emergency Notification & Social Media"). A "Random Hacks of Kindness" event was held, and keynoted by the new FEMA Director. It was to bring together disaster relief and software engineers to work toward dealing with social media and emergency response issues, including alerting. (See "Random Hacks of Kindness"). The UN Foundation recently released a report on social media and emergency response, including for alerting. (See "Report Released: New Technologies in Emergencies and Conflicts"). Heck, we even did a post on using electronic games to issue emergency alerts. (See "Emergency Alerts Through Gaming Consoles").
5. Fire Code Redefines Mass Notification: The fire code is omnipotent in the US. However, it has been only loosely associated with what emergency management and alerts/notifications industry people know as emergency and mass notification. That changed in 2009. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approved changes in the fire code that broaden the definition beyond in-building alerts to "wide area" and "distributed recipient notification"...in other words to notify those on networks that originate from the building and those in the surrounding community. (See "Mass Notification Redefined").
6. Patent Lawsuits Filed: Two companies sued competitors over use of notification/alerting patents. Techradium sued Twitter, then filed suit against a number of other companies involved in notifications and alerts. (See "Notification Company Sues Twitter" and "Notification Companies Sued") Twenty-First Century Communications (TFCC) vollied back saying "It appears that Techradium, a small participant in the crowded field of mass notifications, is trying to use litigation to leverage its competitors into licensing its narrow and limited patents". (See "Twenty First Century Communications Responds to Techradium Patent Suit"). Later in the year, Cooper Notification, Inc filed patent infringement lawsuits against Twitter and Rave Wireless.
7. San Diego Notification Study Released: While buzz spread over new modes of alerting and notifying, a scientific study conducted for FEMA by Oak Ridge National Laboratories pointed back to a traditional mode of notification. (See "New Study Gives Telephone Notifications High Marks") The report showed that most residents within the path of approaching 2007 wildfires in San Diego County received their initital notifications from automated telephone calling systems. The total percentage amounted to 47%. The next highest was a distant 7%. The study also showed that evacuees didn't leave their homes simply because of the telephone calls. Most waited for confirmation from television or personal acquaintances.
8. Large-Scale Systems Announced: Several states and large communities announced more aggressive notification and alerting programs. Connecticut announced a calling and text messaging program, accompanied by an aggressive roll-out campaign. (See "State Plans 'Major Kick Off' of Notification Program") Pennsylvania announced a text messaging program. (See "Another State Announces Statewide Notification Program") California conitinued to plug away on its more aggressive alerting program, despite money troubles. (See "Statewide Notification Plan Stifled By...Guess What") Los Angeles County announced a calling and texting notification program. (See "Nation's Largest County Tackles Notification") And, New York City released a Request for Proposal for a citywide notification program.
9. Complex Topic Becomes More Complex: Do a web search of "emergency notification" and you'll find well over a hundred vendors serving the field. Many claim to be leaders. Add to this evolving communications preferences, imminent threats, advancing technology, and demanding budgets and you've got still more confusion. In 2009, government organizations reached out for help navigating the maze. Several procurement actions were released seeking independent help. (See "Alerts and Notifications. Help!")
10. Alerts and Notifications Blog Launched: OK, this one is a bit self-serving. In 2009, Emergency Management magazine launched a web site to go along with its award-winning publications. We were asked to blog regularly on the topic of alerts and notifications. Considering our "activisim" (as one federal contractor called it) on the topic, we gladly accepted. We have been pleased, even surprised, at the response. Perhaps this is becoming a forum for an increasingly complex topic. We hope the blog will become more interactive. We encourage comments and suggestions. (Perhaps reaching that goal can be on our Top Ten List for 2010.)
Please, let us know what you think of the list. Did we miss anything? What did we include that you believe doesn't belong on the list? Meantime, look for our post beginning on New Years Day of our Top Ten Alerts & Notifications Predictions of 2010.
Happy Holidays, and best of wishes for a safe, happy and productive 2010.
All the best,
Rick and Lorin
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