CUMBERLAND — AMBER Alert notifications are now being sent to every wireless-compliant cell phone in the area of the alert.
Previously, AMBER Alerts were only received on a person’s cell phone who had visited a website and chose to opt in. This no longer applies to the new AMBER Alert cell phone notification system.
The wireless emergency alert uses a loud tone, similar to the emergency alert system messages on radio or television, to notify the public. The system will also send a 90-character text message with basic information concerning the AMBER Alert. Alerts are also issued for areas that users visit outside Maryland.
The AMBER Alert system has been instrumental in the safe recovery of 602 children nationwide. The alert signals a life-or-death situation. This new system will allow the alert to reach more of the public and enlist their eyes to help find an abducted child and aid in his safe recovery.
Users who choose not to receive the AMBER Alert can contact their cell phone service provider or shut off the alerts in the “alert/notifications” section of their cellular phone. If the phone is placed on vibrate or silent, the audio tone will not be heard.
The Federal Communications Commission, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Wireless Association assisted in the development of this new system to notify the public of certain emergencies.
Maryland instituted the AMBER Alert program in August 2002. To date, Maryland has issued 33 alerts. The AMBER Alert is issued for abducted children only and must meet strict criteria. It can be requested by law enforcement only. The new system is not being used for Silver Alerts.
More information is available at Communications.fema.gov.commercial-mobile-alert-system.
Local News
AMBER alerts being sent to area cell phones
- Local News
-
-
Upcoming changes in Medicare could save older diabetics money
Medicare begins a major change next month that could save older diabetics money and time when they buy crucial supplies to test their blood sugar — but it also may cause some confusion as patients figure out the new system.
-
CSX sees rail use potential in sites, especially Barton Industrial Park
A CSX Transportation representative told a gathering of local economic development officials Wednesday that there are properties locally that may be attractive to rail use companies and recommended the Barton Industrial Park for consideration for marketing by the transportation giant.
-
Grate day on the job
-
Garrett County commissioners OK transportation plan
The Garrett County commissioners approved the county planning commission’s recommended priority list for nine projects, one of which is new, to the State of Maryland Consolidated Transportation 2014 Plan. The planning commission recommended that a new project, state Route 135/Sand Flat Road intersection, be added to the list for safety reasons, according to John Nelson, director of planning and land development.
-
Field training
-
Mineral County man third person sentenced in cocaine distribution
Charles Page Haines III, 51, was sentenced to 92 months’ imprisonment to be followed by six years of supervised release.
-
Russell Livengood, retired city fire chief, dies at 84
For more than four decades, Russell Livengood answered the call, actually thousands of calls, for the citizens of Cumberland as a member of the Cumberland Fire Department.
-
New $4M medical center to open in Meyersdale
A new state-of-the-art building for primary care physicians and specialists is expected to be opened at Conemaugh Health System’s Meyersdale Medical Center by the fall of 2014.
-
Garrett innovators
-
Three playing for all the marbles in New Jersey
Briana Brode had another near-perfect day and with 15 wins and only one loss is tied for first place in the girls division after preliminary play Wednesday at the National Marbles Tournament.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
