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46. Why Are Wireless Emergency Alerts on Your Phone So Terrible? A Strategic Communication Conundrum
On January 18, 2018, the entire State of Hawaii received an ear piercing alert on their cell phones.
"BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL."
Those with a keen memory will recall that the Aloha State was NOT, in fact, wiped off the map by a missile strike.
It was a false alarm.
But what it revealed about the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system should concern every strategic communicator.
Because while the WEA system has the potential to be a powerful lifesaving tool, it is routinely misused by emergency managers and misunderstood by the…
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