In the aftermath of a tragic shooting incident at a Czech university faculty in December, concerns have been raised about the apparent non-utilization of an available safety measure—the emergency SMS system. This system, designed to provide timely warnings during critical incidents, was not activated during the recent shooting, contributing to widespread panic and fear.

The emergency SMS system allows firefighters to send alerts to individuals near selected transmitters and receivers, providing crucial information and guidance during emergencies. However, Jiri Fröhlich, the spokesperson for firefighters, revealed that the system was not employed in this case. Fröhlich explained, “We offered this possibility. The commander in cases of an active shooter is always a police officer, and he decided not to use this option.”

The offer to use the emergency SMS system came after the shooter’s demise, rendering it ineffective in mitigating the immediate chaos and anxiety. Ondřej Moravčík, the spokesperson for the Police Presidium, argued that the system is more suitable for prolonged danger situations, where information can be thoroughly verified before dissemination.

However, potential challenges associated with using the system during a shooting incident were also highlighted. Fröhlich emphasized that activating the system would notify a large number of people in the given radius—potentially fifty to a hundred thousand individuals, including foreign tourists in popular locations like Old Town Square or Charles Bridge. The emergency messages are sent in both Czech and English to ensure widespread comprehension.

To address some of these concerns, the Ministry of Interior plans to enhance the warning SMS system at the beginning of the new year. The messages will no longer display a phone number as the sender; instead, they will feature the universally understood word ‘Alarm’ with an exclamation mark. The automated messages will have a uniform appearance, clearly stating the event’s time, date, and location, making the system more effective for a diverse audience, including those with foreign operators.

Article by Prague Forum