The NAB, Florida Association of Broadcasters and Dyle mobile TV announced mobile TV devices will be provided to Florida’s State Emergency Response Team (SERT) as part of a pilot program to assist first responders with accessing important info during the 2013 hurricane season. Details of the mobile TV pilot program were unveiled at a joint news conference at Florida International University, Wall of Wind Research Center.
Bryan Koon, Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management, said emergency management officials are confident that mobile TV will provide another tool by which local officials can share valuable information before, during, and after a disaster.
“The June 1 kick-off of hurricane season serves as a reminder that Floridians must be prepared for disasters of all types. Providing timely information is a key element in our communication strategy, and we’re grateful to Dyle mobile TV, the NAB, the FAB for giving SERT a chance to test mobile TV’s emergency response capabilities,” Koon said.
Local television stations in more than 140 cities are now delivering live, local TV to smart phones, tablets and other “on-the-go” devices. Broadcasters view the Florida mobile TV pilot program as an extension of the “first informer” role that radio and TV stations play during times of crisis.
“The unfortunate reality is that during an emergency weather situation, local broadcasters are often the only reliable source of information,” said NAB CEO Gordon Smith. “It is common for cell phone networks to become over-loaded, resulting in customer delays in receiving valuable, timely information. Meanwhile, cable and Internet connections can be spotty. But because of broadcasting’s robust ‘one-to-everyone’ transmission architecture, mobile TV is designed to deliver live and local news and information to mobile devices reliably and without interruption.”
NAB, in partnership with Dyle mobile TV, will provide as many as 100 mobile TV devices to the Florida Division of Emergency Management to be used throughout the 2013 hurricane season. Volunteer Florida will work with their member organizations to test the devices in the event of an emergency.
“Mobile TV’s use of live and local communication is a critical leap forward in terms of immediacy, impact and simultaneous communication to potentially millions of citizens,” said Salil Dalvi and Erik Moreno, co-general managers of Dyle mobile TV. “Dyle is pleased and excited to participate in this test with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.”
The Florida Association of Broadcasters and Florida Division of Emergency Management have partnered since Hurricane Andrew to provide Floridians with critical information in a disaster, said FAB President Pat Roberts.
