The FCC this week approved a plan to create a nationwide emergency alert system that will deliver text messages to cell phone users should an emergency, disaster, or attack occur. The Warning Alert and Response Network Act (WARN Act) of 2006 gave the FCC the task ofcoming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.

According to CNN, cell phone companies that voluntarily opt into the system will send text messages to subscribers in response to three types of events: Presidential alerts such as terrorist attacks; natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes; and child abductions or Amber alerts.

FCC chairman Kevin Martin said, "The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families prior to, and during, disasters and other emergencies."

The plan may sound like a good idea, but not everyone subscribes to text messaging. In addition, according to InformationWeek, "subscribers will be able to opt out of receiving the messages ... [which] sort of negates the benefit."

Hopefully, there will be other measures taken to comply with the WARN Act for those of us who either don't get or choose not to read text messages on our cell phones.