HollyAnne Corp. - EAS - SAM

The SAM™ Emergency Alerting System

SAM™ - Safety Alert Monitor

The SAM™ indoor emergency warning unit is a receiver designed for use within cable television systems. The receiver operates independently of the cable subscriber's TV set. In fact, the receiver operates even when no television is present. The only connections required are those to the cable TV system and to a 117 volt power source that is backed up with an optional rechargeable battery.

Set in a rugged plastic case, the speaker delivers high quality audio alert tones and voice messages. A volume control allows for limited adjustment of the audio level.

The receiver has a red LED light that is illuminated, usually for tornado or severe storm watches. The receiver has two modes for audio messages. The first is "all call" for severe weather and other area-wide emergency situations. The second mode is a decode used for area alerts in larger cities or to alert volunteer fire or rescue personnel in smaller communities. An optional closure is available to control alerting devices for the hearing impaired.

Public Warning Systems

The Need

From the beginning of time, man has faced natural disasters with little or no warning. Whether it is natural disasters (tornadoes, floods, fires or earthquakes), or man-made disasters (chemical or nuclear accidents), the means for early warning and direction have remained primitive considering advances which have been made in other communications technology.

Traditional Warning Processes and Shortcomings

The reliability of outdoor sirens is limited. Because it is "outside," a siren's efficiency is dramatically reduced by high wind and humidity. Also, penetration into modern well- insulated, environmentally controlled homes often can be substantially diminished depending upon the distance of the siren from the home.

Often, the consumer is confused as to the meaning of a siren. Is it a fire call, a rescue call, a storm warning, or the ever-increasingly frequent "false alarm"?

Consumers receive weather and other emergency warnings from several sources. Probably the most common method is from a warning issued via a broadcast television or radio. The success of this warning method depends entirely on the consumer having his broadcast receiver turned on and tuned to a non-cable channel. Obviously, it is not possible to receive this type of warning if the consumer is watching a videotape, playing a video game, or does not have his television or radio on at all. Other factors that influence the reliability of this warning method include the station's ability to issue a warning quickly. Often, on late nights and weekends, only a single non-news person is at the station. The timeliness of warnings during those situations is particularly suspect.

The State of the Art

The SAM™ System combines the latest in home delivery communications technology, with superior warning processes that maximize dissemination to the public. The SAM™ system overcomes key limitations that have plagued traditional systems.

Limitations

Accessibility
Flexibility
Reliability
Cost

Safety Alert Monitor

How the SAM System Functions

The SAM™ System consists of home receivers and a controller which operate on a cable TV system. The SAM™ controller is installed at the cable company's transmission facility. It is activated in several ways. Local Public Safety Officials activate the SAM™ system via two-way radio or touch-tone telephone to transmit emergency voice messages. The SAM™ Controller can be programmed to record those messages and play them back for a variable length of time. The National Weather Service activates the SAM™ system via NOAA Weather Radio and their new site selective weather warning system. This system allows the Weather Service to issue watches and warnings for only the county affected, not the traditional 12-24 county coverage area. The SAM™ Controller illuminates a red light for watches and a loud siren and voice messages for severe weather warnings such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. SAM™ provides accessibility because the system can be easily accessed by those agencies with warning responsibilities.

The SAM™ System provides flexibility by enabling its home receivers to be activated in different ways by the various users. Public Safety Officials can activate the entire system or any of the 31 zones that can be assigned on either a functional and/or geographic basis. The National Weather Service as well as the Public Safety Officials can trigger the siren-voice mode for emergencies requiring immediate action. Or, they may utilize the visual or "watch" function (which

turns a red warning light on) to alert the public to important, but not life-threatening situations. Consumers can check on the meaning of visual alerts at any time by merely depressing the monitor button on the receiver.

The SAM™ receiver is designed for reliable continuous operation. It is powered by a UL approved plug in the wall transformer and has an optional rechargeable back-up battery good for up to five hours. Receiver units use long life LED's for visual alerts, and high quality speakers that produces the superior audio messages and siren tones. SAM™ receivers have a volume control designed to ensure a high minimum audio level so warnings will always be heard by the consumer. An optional closure is available to operate devices for the hearing impaired. The SAM™ controller is built to strict MIL. Spec. Standards and has a design life of ten years or more. The SAM™ home receiver is designed to operate at -54Bmv.

Non- Emergency Uses

The SAM™ System provides other helpful communication functions through its receivers. For instance, if area schools are closed due to inclement weather, each school district can illuminate the red LED to indicate an important message and to record an announcement notifying parents, students and staff of the closing. SAM™ also provides continuous 24 hour-a-day weather reports.