The Federal Emergency Management Agency will integrate HD Radio’s Emergency Alerts feature into its IPAWS test and demonstration center in Maryland. Among other things it means that for the first time, FEMA will have the ability to test the Emergency Alert System using commercial HD Radio receivers.
Here at the NAB Show, Xperi Corp., owner of HD Radio, announced an agreement with FEMA. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System test facility houses communication technologies used for emergency alerting and provides education for state emergency responders, politicians and other government officials, the company said.
Xperi VP of Radio Technology Solutions Ashruf El-Dinary said in the announcement that the integration “will demonstrate the capabilities of digital radio technology as an advanced emergency notification solution for the public.”
The company said HD Radio Emergency Alerts provide visual and auditory notifications to consumers. “The digital radio features allow broadcasters to expand public service information in local communities.” Receivers with the feature are available in some vehicles and aftermarket and tabletop radios in the U.S. and Canada.
