Tornado Responders Slowed By Cell Phones

(AP)  In the chaos after a tornado killed nine people in Enterprise, emergency workers had trouble talking to one another because they tried to use their cell phones instead of the state's $18 million emergency communications upgrade, officials say.

"People were frustrated, but all they had to do was turn on their radios," state Homeland Security Director Jim Walker told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

Most police, firefighters and other emergency responders in Coffee County use Southern LINC Wireless phones and walkie-talkies for day-to-day communications.

But after the tornado struck on March 1, traffic on that system more than tripled "instantaneously," said Southern LINC's manager of radio frequency and construction, Clay Brogdon.

"It overwhelmed our network," Brogdon said.

Like most people, police and other rescue workers have gotten used to using cell phone technology, said Larry Walker, Coffee County deputy emergency management director.

"Because of our reliance on it, if it goes down you're in a quandary," Larry Walker said.

He said emergency workers eventually switched from cell phones to radios "and that system worked fine."

The problems in Enterprise show how dependent society has become on cell phones, said Rosanna Guadagno, a social psychology professor at the University of Alabama.

"Humans tend to be creatures of habit and our habit these days is the cell phone. It's disabling when technology we have come to rely on is not available to us," Guadagno said.

For years, law enforcement agencies in Alabama struggled with different radio systems that often would not allow officers in one city to talk to police in the next town or even to their own fire department.

In an effort to fix that problem, the Alabama Department of Homeland Security used $18 million from a federal grant in 2004 to buy equipment that would bridge the gaps between various radio systems.

Brogdon said the Southern LINC cell phone tower in the area stayed in service throughout the emergency and Enterprise never completely lost service. He said many callers were unable to get through because so many people were trying to use the system.

[maiingan]

Agreed, but there will be much less need for that emergency communication when post-tornado rebuilding uses highly tornado-resistant construction. I mailed such information to the Superintendent of the Enterprise school system. Will some media reporter out there who sees this, please follow up on the response? See also: http://www.geocities.com/maiinganikan/ and http://www.monolithic.com

[puzzler125]

Travelers should not assume they will have blanket coverage during any long trips. There are still areas with poor or no cell phone service availability. Sometimes people say they have a cell phone because it will enable them to call 9ll but this is a case of having a false sense of security. (I know, MOST areas have access...but not all).

[Syndicate]

Cell phones are the way to go. I have one I have it with me most of the time. I don't have to monitor it constantly to see if some one is trying to talk to me. If I want to talk to So and So I call them. I don't get on the CB and say hey So and So are you listening? Maybe they should build an emergency cellular network. Or perhaps The government could work with the cellular phone companies to give first responders priority access.

[ndg1979]

Emergency personnel should remain on two-way communications during emergencies. Think of every movie and TV show that had people talking on CB radios (Smokey & The Bandit, The Dukes of Hazzard, etc...). Still a very viable communication device - just talk to any truck driver.

I'll be driving cross-country from PA to AZ soon and though I will have my cell phone in my 2006 Dodge Charger, I will also install a CB for this very reason. They are free to use, inexpensive and provide all the communication ability one would need for local talk.

It is time as mentioned to go back to simpler times when everything was done not only of purpose but of enjoyment. Driving was done on weekends for pleasure and CB's allowed all to have cool nicknames you NEVER hear kid's today give each other. When was the last time you heard a kid refer to his friend on a cell phone as Kill-a-watt?

The State of Alabama should realize that $18 mil could have gotten them a lot of powerful CB's and increased the efficiency of those who responded. My condolences to those who lost loved ones and to Alabama - Better luck next time.

[musty2u]

cntrygrllst, you are on target. I am truly disappointed I am unable to reward you, major league. I received less uplifting by my wait staff today and the got a sizable tip for their lack of concern and honesty.

[cntrygrllst]

I think as with anything else cell phones have their uses but they are abused by our instant gratification society. Everyone with their "Got to have MINE, MY WAY NOW" attitudes, it is just silly. I sometimes wonder if we wouldn't be better off if some of this stuff just suddenly stopped working. Just Poof no more technology, just old fashion know how and figure it out

[musty2u]

About time people see that the little life support item they have become attached to has limitations. But, hey, with the radio, "I can't call my ... (spouse, friend, butcher, etc.). Whine, Whine, Whine.