This is the first bit of common sense I’ve read. If going for individual alerts.

1/ As one who uses only a basic mobile phone (and not alone in doing so) I much prefer the system above and was very concerned on learning smartphones were being favoured.

2/ I don’t (and never will) sign up to social media, by phone or computer. Nor do I want my ‘phone accessing the internet (though would relax that in an emergency, but not sign up to any website). Again, not alone on that. Which rules out a lot of the info these days. i.e. there continues to be a need for MULTIPLE ways to get emergency info out.

3/ Running across existing radio band, it perhaps could alternatively be accessible on mobile phones that have radio? Also, one needs a battery operated radio to hand for other info. Tho’ how many would cart it around separately from their phone could be an issue, but that’s a personal choice, as pt 2 above.

4/ With Gary Brenner’s adaptation, people have the choice to carry it or not.

5/ The counter-point is the very sound advice that perhaps, at an individual level, the safest remains the mantra “if it’s long and strong you should be gone”. Unless the sirens are instigated by e.g. USGS and even then they could be too late. (As we saw in Japan, some waves come in very fast.) NOT a criticism of GeoNet or Civil Defence etc, just a simple fact of life that locally such things take a while to suss for all the reasons already explained elsewhere and seconds can matter.

6/ Plus one does have to have the device (tsunado/radio or mobile) to hand and not be running out of battery! e.g. I’m rarely without my mobile in my pocket but did find myself some 30 km from home recently before realising I’d left it on the charger.

7/ Screaming on mobiles, over-riding any call or text being made, is of limited good sense: a call could be critical, it could be a parent connecting with a child in the seconds after a major quake; or someone calling for emergency services in a life-critical situation. No, to forcibly interrupt calls is not wise and removes individual choice of prioritising emergencies when they occur simultaneously. Unless of course the siren can be reliably turned off.

8/ Lastly of course, if the financials are accurate, it’s a “no-brainer” on cost if an individual alert is warranted. Either way I expect the costs will be charged to the individual, either for the FM-tsunado or via the mobile provider.

Pt 3 above: I’m not convinced individual alerts are the way to go. Risk of homes being burgled is going to make some waiver indecisively, whether the alert’s official or via the long-and-strong quaking. There’s no such thing as 100% risk proof and sometimes to try too hard, removing the onus on the individual, leaves people too reliant on others, reducing the ability to decide.