Wireless emergency alerts to guide World Cup fans during potential disasters

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to come to Kansas City this summer for the World Cup, and local organizers and emergency management officials are preparing with strategic safety plans.

These emergency plans are designed to be flexible and applicable to a wide range of hazards. Jacob Waller of Boone Emergency Management said his agency's plan of action is similar to their regular procedures for fires, natural disasters or other emergencies, but will be adaptable to the high volume of travelers in the area.

In the event of severe weather or natural disasters, emergency management officials will use wireless emergency alerts to communicate with the public. Waller said these notifications are designed to reach people directly on their cell phones, providing immediate instructions during a threat.

"We would use what's called a Wireless Emergency Alert to activate people's cell phones, to direct them to the nearest safe place," Waller said. "So that might be, well, first of all, alerting people that there is some sort of threat coming in and then kind of telling people to find shelter."

Most people are already familiar with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) such as AMBER Alerts or imminent threat alerts (like a severe thunderstorm warning). WEAs are geographically targeted and will be broadcast to any mobile device within the area affected by an emergency.

The alert system can also accommodate international fans by automatically translating emergency messages into the native languages set on their mobile devices. Megan McConachie at the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau noted that this feature will apply to mobile browsers and text messaging systems used by international visitors.

"For a vast majority of these international visitors, they will be on mobile devices that will automatically translate information for them," McConachie said. "Any sort of messaging about emergencies, that is going to come through in their native language."