Review Google’s earthquake warning system before use: NDC

By LORRAINE JIMAL
NATIONAL Disaster Centre (NDC) director Col Carl Wrakonei says Papua New Guinea needs to review the new earthquake alert system experience of other countries before using it.
Wrakonei said this when commenting on a new android earthquake alert system launched by Google in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
“We need to see from the experiences of other countries like New Zealand, Philippines and others. If the system can work for them as a warning system we can install it in our phones as well,” he said.
Wrakonei said the system would be good for the country as more people would be wary and prepared to respond better to disasters.
According to Google the system is a no-cost, helpful android feature that detects earthquakes around the world and alerts people.
It uses sensors in android smartphones.
The system uses accelerometers in active android smartphones to detect seismic activity. It alerts people in two ways via a search and directly on the android mobile device itself.
The system provides near-instant information to Google search.
When people look up “earthquake” or “earthquake near me” they will find relevant results, along with helpful resources on what to do after an earthquake.
People who do not wish to receive these alerts can turn this off on their device settings.
With the expansion of this earthquake alerts system, people can receive automatic early warning alerts that help them be prepared for an emergency.
Meanwhile, the NDC is working on a long term act for disasters and plan responses to them.
“We are working on legislation by reviewing the current Disaster Management Act (1984),” he said.
“This would include a provision where the government can allocate money on a yearly basis to prepare and responsd to disasters around the country.”
Wrakonei said that for the short term, the NDC was working together with the Treasury Department through a submission to secure funds for the tasks.