New emergency system skips the sirens, computers, cell phones

By Kermit Miller, ConnectMidMissouri.com

When disaster threatens, seconds count, people often depend on sirens for warning, but they don’t always work, and some people cannot hear them. That is why the city of Fulton has taken a step in the future of emergency communication.

Tuesday, the city launched the PT2. The new emergency alert system from Purple Tree Technologies of Columbia does not depend of loud sirens, computers, cell phones, or even external power.

John Blatz of Purple Tree Technologies described that the device gives, “a personal notification device detailing the specific nature of the emergency with specific instructions of what to do.”

The city of Fulton is testing the system.

A computer sends a radio signal through a series of repeater transmitters around the city to alarm units mounted in offices, homes, places of business, and college campuses.

Text messages then follow.

The system can be programmed for different levels of warning, everything from terrorist attacks to water boil orders.

“The success of this system really depends on how well it’s received by our citizens and how will they are to spend their hard-earned money to purchase the receivers for this system,” said Fulton Mayor Charles Latham.

Those receivers include both wall units and pocket fobs. Purple Tree has teamed up with the local phone company to sell the gizmos.

“We are in the strip mall right behind the dairy queen,” said Michael Fugate of Kingdom Telecommunications. “And we will be selling these. These are $169 and the little pods are $69.”

The system offers great potential for the awareness of a population on the move, such as college students during periods of campus violence.

Many communities are taking a second look.

“I’m impressed with what I’ve seen,” said Jefferson City Fire Chief Bob Rennick. “So it’ll be worthy of exploration.”

More information about the PT2 home units is available through Kingdom Telecommunications in Fulton.