Overview
Our satellite-based emergency alert system has hundreds of terminals across the commonwealth to help get the word out quickly and efficiently when seconds count.
How It Works
Emergency Management Network stations, the National Weather Service, and other government organizations access the system to send text messages to each other and brodcast media, and text and audio messages for rebroadcast to the public.
Goals
The goals of our warnings and communications systems are:
- Meet the needs of emergency management agencies and 911 centers.
- Be fast, secure, and reliable.
- Provide reliable ability to communicate during emergencies when activations are necessary.
We monitor the entire network to ensure 100 percent connectivity and immediately alert a station if a terminal goes offline. We then provide troubleshooting and fault isolation.
Two Systems
1. Primary System
The Emergency Management Network, known as EMnet, is the primary path for Emergency Alert System distribution in Pennsylvania.
This network became the primary delivery path for emergency alerts in March 2003. Through it, Emergency Management Network stations send text-based messages resembling email to one another and broadcast media news centers.
The network provides for:
Direct-to-broadcaster transmission.
Forwarding of pictures, attachments, reports, and other data.
Confirmation that the message was delivered to specific radio stations.
Confirmation that the party in question has broadcasted the message.
Transmission of messages in languages other than English, to better serve citizens using Spanish, French, and other language radio and television stations.
2. Secondary System
The secondary Emergency Alert System provides text and audio messages for rebroadcast to the public.
Messages can be generated by the National Weather Service or other government agencies.
These are authorized when loss of life or loss of property have happened or are anticipated. There is a required threshold of either a "short-fused response requirement" or an "emergency affecting a wide area."
On the technical side, this system uses the fiberoptic backbone of the Pennsylvania Public Television Network to LP1 and LP2 affiliate facilities. Those facilities then relay the backup network to applicable areas.
Voice and Data-Sharing Tools
We use two tools to provide voice and data-sharing:
1. Satellite Emergency Voice Alerting Network
The Satellite Emergency Voice Alerting Network, known as SEVAN, allows us, counties, regional offices, and cities to communicate directly in real time — even when phone systems are down.
We routinely use this system to broadcast warning messages. The system is based on one of the constellation of statellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit, and is online and available continously.
2. Pennsylvania Statewide Telecommunications and Alerting System
The Pennsylvania Statewide Telecommunications and Alerting System, known as PaSTAR, is basically a computer-network without wires.
Using satellite-based technology and the latest computer server and client systems, the system allows data-sharing, reporting, and texts and graphics to flow unimpaired between users connected to the system.
At the system's core are commercially available computer server and email software packages widely used in internet communications.
