Mobile TV To Get Test In Hurricane Season
NAB and the Florida Association of Broadcasters are in partnership with
Dyle mobile TV to provide devices to Florida's State Emergency Response
Team as part of a pilot program to assist first responders with
accessing important information during the 2013 hurricane season.
By Staff
TVNewsCheck
May 31, 2013 8:27 AM EDT
http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67924/mobile-tv-to-get-fla-test-in-hurricane-season
The National Association of Broadcasters, Florida Association of
Broadcasters and Dyle mobile TV announced today that 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 information during the 2013 hurricane season. Details of the
mobile TV pilot program were unveiled today 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.
Television stations in more than 140 cities are now delivering live,
local TV to smart phones, tablets and other "on-the-go" devices,
according to NAB, which added that 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 President-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.
"Florida broadcasters have led the way in educating the public prior to
a disaster and keeping them informed when an emergency occurs. Mobile TV
is the next step in providing valuable, local, and timely information to
our citizens and visitors during a hurricane. We are excited to continue
the partnership with this pilot program," Roberts said.
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