This is a system for using the ubiquitous televison receiver, presently those models equipped with a remote control, as an emergency early warning and information supply device. When Authorities (1) (either local, national, or international), notify any or all TV station(s)(2), the operator enters a pre-determined code from a chart for the area affected by the emergency and follows with a voice announcement. The signal is transmitted (3, 4), received (5) and decoded (6) by only those TVs preset to receive the transmitted code. The decoder (6) contains an externally controlled code setting switch and is battery powered in the retrofit kit only. The tuner (7) is always powered on (17) by the Standby Power Supply (15), so the signals are processed. The activation signals (8) are separated from the normal TV signals (9) and cause the microprocessor to turn the main power supply (16) on, thus activating the entire TV, and increase the volume control 14) to maximum so as to attract attention, even of those sleeping. The Uninterruptible Power Supply (19), basically a battery, such as those now used for computers, is invaluable for keeping the TV powered up in case of power failure for continued reception of information from authorities.

This system differs from another proposed system in that this one can be used worldwide with all TV systems, and locally, as in school lock-downs, Interstate or railroad toxic chemical spills, nearby grass fires, etc., and similar situations in other countries where the other one cannot. When implemented, it will save untold millions of lives, as well as millions of dollars in property damage. It will require a tone-coded modulator to be added onto TV broadcast transmitters. Phase 1 will be the creation and dissemination of retrofit kits for use with existing TVs. Phase 2 will be the modification of new production TVs. Initially expensive, yes, but consider the Banda Aceh tsunami or the recent Japanese earthquake/ tsunami. What are human lives worth? Once created, it will become the permanent, uiversal, and most effective life-saving system ever known.