Dominican government conducts first test of National Alert System

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican government carried out the first technical test of the National Alert System on Tuesday, a new tool designed to send real-time, geolocated emergency messages to mobile phones in order to protect lives during critical situations. The initiative is backed by Indotel, 911, the National Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the Emergency Operations Center (COE), among other institutions.

The first trial, led by Vice President Raquel Peña, was conducted through the Claro Dominicana network using Android devices, marking the country’s shift to Cell Broadcast technology. Unlike traditional SMS, this system ensures immediate, targeted alerts that reach only those in affected areas.

The platform integrates two types of alerts: disaster alerts for natural events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, coordinated by the COE; and citizen security alerts, including Amber, Pink, Blue, and Silver Alerts, managed by 911, the Police, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Indotel has invested over US$900,000 in the system’s infrastructure, ensuring redundancy in Santo Domingo and Santiago. Authorities emphasized that alerts will be clear, actionable, and strictly regulated to maintain public trust, while a bill under congressional review seeks to formally regulate its nationwide operation.