WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s Crisis Management Team conducted the first official test of a new national emergency alert system yesterday. The test took place at the headquarters of telecom provider Digicel in Biesheuvel.
Advanced Cell Broadcasting Technology
The alert system uses cell broadcasting, a technology that sends emergency warnings directly to mobile phones in a designated area. This method, widely used in countries such as the Netherlands (Amber Alert) and the United States, is a crucial part of Curaçao’s broader public emergency warning strategy.
Collaboration for a Safer Curaçao
The project falls under the ESF 2: Telecommunications working group, led by the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC). Experts from Digicel Curaçao and its parent company played a key role in the system’s development and implementation.
Curaçao’s Crisis Management Team consists of ten Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), involving local organizations that work together on disaster preparedness and response. The initiative is coordinated by the Risk Management and Disaster Response Department under the Ministry of General Affairs.
Public Awareness Campaign to Follow
Authorities emphasize that this was only a test, and a public awareness campaign will be launched before the system is officially put into operation. With this new emergency alert system, Curaçao aims to enhance disaster preparedness and ensure timely warnings to protect its population in crisis situations.