The Wireless Emergency Response Team (WERT)
. . . using wireless technology to save lives.
The Wireless Emergency Response Team (WERT)
. . . using wireless technology to save lives.
Reflections on 20th Anniversary of 9-11
Vision
Connecting the best wireless minds and resources to the most vital needs of users in an emergency.
At a glance
Mission
Provide vital help by . . .
- Leading advanced wireless expertise, technology and infrastructure support for Search & Rescue operations in national crises
- Conducting focused research and reporting key learnings to industry, government and the public
- Providing emergency guidance for 911 centers, law enforcement, wireless service providers and family members
Our Storyline
2021 - August/September: WERT on standby as Hurricane Ida disaster assessed
2010 - January: WERT activated to support the emergency communications needs in Haiti
2006: WERT documents 87 Key Learnings and 27 Recommendations for government and the wireless industry from the 2005 Hurricane Katrina operation
2005 - August: WERT activated for Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Floods
2004 - December: WERT on standby to support rescue efforts for Indian Ocean Earthquake Tsunami
2003 - September: WERT Founder & President appeared as an expert witness before the U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on Homeland Security. Click here to view written statement.
2002 - March: Tom Wheeler presents WERT Founder with the CTIA President's Award
2001 - October: WERT presents 134 Key Learnings and 23 Recommendations for government and the wireless industry from the 9-11 operation to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and Network Reliability and Interoperability Council.
2001 - September: WERT created to support search and rescue with advanced wireless technologies in the disaster site of the 9-11 New York City World Trade Center Terrorist Attack
Far-Reaching Impact on Emergency Communications
The insights gleaned from WERT’s 9-11 and Katrina responses have a lasting impact on emergency preparedness for billions of people around the world. The WERT Reports captured 200+ Key Learnings and made 50 Recommendations. Examples of improved emergency preparedness and response include:
- Text Messaging to 911: The concept of texting to contact Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) was identified as a capability that would have been useful at Ground Zero. WERT recommended the development of the capability. “Text-to-911” was rolled out in 2014 timeframe by the four largest carriers at the time (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon) in the United States and similar capabilities have been rolled out around the world.
- Wireless Emergency Alerts: WERT underscored how text messages could be very useful as alerts from government to citizens in emergencies. WERT sent out short text messages to cell phones that were registered on the network. WERT recommended implementation of a capability for emergency messages to be sent to mobile subscribers. In 2006, Congress passed the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act, which led to the Wireless Emergency Alerts system in the United States. The wireless alerting capability has been developed so that approved authorities can now send geography-based emergency alerts to mobile devices for severe weather, state and local public safety concerns, Amber Alerts, and from the President of the United States.
- Power Conservation: Wireless search and rescue is limited by the battery life of mobile devices. WERT made observations and suggestions regarding how network operators and mobile phone manufacturers could extend battery the life in a crisis. WERT recommended the wireless industry “consider how mobile phones and pagers could be placed in an emergency mode that would facilitate location of survivors.” Today, many mobile phones have location features and a power saving mode that extends the battery life of the device.
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