Safety first: FEMA, public TV join forces to save lives.(Technology)(United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Broadcasting & Cable, June, 2004 by Kerschbaumer, Ken

Public TV isn't just devoted to British dramas and Sesame Street. It's adding protection to its list of services. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and key public-broadcasting associations are planning a six-month pilot program to investigate the potential use of their digital airwaves in the event of an emergency or terrorist attack.

In short, can the digital spectrum aid TV, radio, cellular phone, and PDA communications?

"The challenge is not the technology but harnessing it, so we can give accurate, timely, and effective alert and warning messages nationwide," says Reynold Hoover, director of the Office of National Security Coordination in the Department of Homeland Security's FEMA.

The deal with FEMA, expected to...

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