June 6, 2023
Australia’s emergency warning and alerts system is about to undergo a major upgrade with the adoption of a new cell broadcast National Messaging System (NMS).
The upgrade also aims to improve communications between emergency crews responding to disasters such as bushfires and floods.
According to the Federal Government, first responders will be able to receive near instant access to data, images and information in critical situations.
Real time, data-rich analytics, situational awareness and cross-border communications will be enabled between ground crews, aircraft and incident control centres.
The new system will also improve how States and Territories issue alerts and warnings to mobile phones and devices during a crisis or emergency event.
It is anticipated the NMS will be designed, built and tested over the next 18 months and will become operational by late next year.
It will draw on technology already used overseas.
The system aims to improve the ability to send prioritised warnings from trusted sources and mitigate the spread of misinformation during disasters.
Governments will be able to send messages in English and a second language in order to provide accurate, official information to multicultural communities.
