A comparative assessment of mobile device-​based multi-​hazard warnings: saving lives through public alerts in Europe

This report considers the advantages and challenges of public warning systems (PWS) that use electronic communications services, such as Location-Based Short Message Service (LB-SMS), Cell Broadcast (CB), and multi-hazard warning apps.

The report identifies two main challenges for multi-hazard warning apps to be meaningful and efficient: 1) the reach of an app in terms of the proportion of a population that uses it, and 2) the sustainable integration of an app into the existing PWS. To overcome these challenges the report makes several recommendations, including:

• There should be only one app per country
• The app should ideally use multiple, clearly delineated warning levels
• Users should be able to customize the messages’ content
• Apps should be integrated into national PWS
• The number of senders should be as few as possible, but as many as necessary to be fast and reliable
• The warning app should be as interlinked with other platforms
• The app should make use of graphical elements
• Authorities should also consider including a ‘call emergency services’ function in order to motivate users to install and use the multi-hazard warning app.