NY testing emergency broadcast network on Live, PSN

New York State officials are testing a new emergency broadcast system designed to spread disaster alerts and instructions across XBox Live, PSN and the Wii.

An InformationWeek article published last week reveals that New York State has called for more transparency in governance and launched a public works initiative called (perversely) "Empire 2.0." Under this new mandate state health officials have admitted to monitoring Facebook updates for suicidal behavior, Homeland Security has begun to train civilian fast response teams in Second Life and the New York Senate is posting proposed bills to an open wiki for public collaboration. Web 2.0 "is the world we're beginning to live in," said state Deputy Chief Information Officer Rico Singleton, speaking at an NYC tech conference. "We should be part of the movement."

Part of that movement means jacking in to the online services of all major consoles in the event of a disaster or other threat to national security. The program is intended to allow the Emergency Management Office to reach citizens who, according to Singleton, "spend more time on the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii than with television or radio." The new initiative is still being tested on New Yorkers, and their opinions will determine whether or not gamers across the nation can expect similar treatment.

To continue reading, register here and become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

New York State officials are testing a new emergency broadcast system designed to spread disaster alerts and instructions across XBox Live, PSN and the Wii.

An InformationWeek article published last week reveals that New York State has called for more transparency in governance and launched a public works initiative called (perversely) "Empire 2.0." Under this new mandate state health officials have admitted to monitoring Facebook updates for suicidal behavior, Homeland Security has begun to train civilian fast response teams in Second Life and the New York Senate is posting proposed bills to an open wiki for public collaboration. Web 2.0 "is the world we're beginning to live in," said state Deputy Chief Information Officer Rico Singleton, speaking at an NYC tech conference. "We should be part of the movement."

Part of that movement means jacking in to the online services of all major consoles in the event of a disaster or other threat to national security. The program is intended to allow the Emergency Management Office to reach citizens who, according to Singleton, "spend more time on the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii than with television or radio." The new initiative is still being tested on New Yorkers, and their opinions will determine whether or not gamers across the nation can expect similar treatment.

For more gaming news, visit GamePro. Story copyright GamePro Media.