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Project Background
The initial concept developed to become a Public Emergency Warning
System (PEWS), which could be used to communicate alerts and advice in
times of hazard or disaster, such as the Canberra bushfire of 2003. In
2003 EMA, ABC, FESA, and Murdoch University, contributed funding and
in-kind contributions to the Newsbug project to develop and evaluate a
proof-of-concept multi-channel Public Emergency System. The research
was carried out by Murdoch University from July 2003 to July 2004. In
December 2004 the project received the Western Australian and
Australian National Safer Community Awards from the Australian Attorney
General’s department.
The project employed a strongly consultative approach to research
market requirements and as a result developed strong relationships with
several key emergency management agencies across Australia.
Since completion of the project, the team has received a steady stream
of enquiries about commercial use of the system. Interest increased
following announcement of the national award and increased again
following the Tsunami of December 2004, where the system has clear
application.
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