Integrated Public Alert and Warning System IPAWS

Get Alerts, Stay Alive

IPAWS Overview for Region VII RECCWG MeetingJanuary 29, 2013

What is the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System?• IPAWS is a national public warning system for the President but…

– DHS FEMA is tasked to create “an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people in situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster, or other hazards to public safety and well-being (public alert and warning system), taking appropriate account of the functions, capabilities, and needs of the private sector and of all levels of government in our Federal system, and to ensure that under all conditions the President can communicate with the American people.” - (Executive Order 13407 June 2006)

– IPAWS provides access to send emergency alerts to the public via:• radio and television through the Emergency Alert System (47 CFR Part 11-EAS)• cellular phones through the Wireless Emergency Alerts service (47 CFR Part 10-CMAS)• NOAA National Weather System All Hazards Radio through the HazCollect System.

Who can use IPAWS? – Public safety officials granted the authority to alert the public of emergency situations through

federal, state, and local laws. Typical organizations are:• State Government, Local Government (county, city, public safety, etc), Tribal and

Territorial GovernmentsOther public or private sector organizations may be eligible in coordination with local

government.

Are you required to use IPAWS? No.

…intended to be used by State and Local officials during emergencies

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IPAWS is Operational Now!Capabilities online:National EAS – emergency alert broadcast from the President across all

radio and TV

State & Local Alerts via IPAWS to:– Local radio and TV stations participating in local EAS – Cell carriers for broadcast to all cell phones in a danger zone as Wireless

Emergency Alerts (WEA) (aka CMAS)– NOAA for broadcast over local NOAA Weather All Hazards Radio– Websites and services

• Public alerts published to IPAWS alert feed for distribution by internet information services and applications that choose to monitor IPAWS for alert information

State/local/other IPAWS users as of December 6:• 23 States with Public Alerting Authority• 62 Counties with Public Alerting Authority: 62

- 3 additional States & 42 Counties have access for info exchange onlylist posted at http://

www.fema.gov/alerting-authorities/integrated-public-alert-warning-system-authorities)

• Initial Operational Capabilities online in Oct 2011.• Initial WEA/CMAS tests conducted in Dec 2011.• NOAA started using IPAWS to send severe

weather alerts via WEA/CMAS in Jun 2012

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National Emergency Alert System (EAS)

IPAWS Architecture with National EAS

Alert Aggregator/ Gateways

IPAWS OPEN

FEMA PEP StationsPresident • XM Siris Radio• NPR• Premier Radio Networks

FEMA Operations

Centers

FEMA PEP Stations in Region VII:

• KFYR Bismarck ND• KERR Polson, MT • KWDZ Salt Lake City, UT• KOA Denver CO

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Local alerting systems – typical examples

Local Authorities

Local Alerting Systems

911 Call Center

Emergency Management

State Authorities

Others?

Police

IPAWS is not intended to replace local alerting systems. But local systems can be integrated for additional capabilities!

Emergency

Local Radio and TV

Alerting Authorities

• Emergency Telephone Networks (e.g. Reverse911)• Subscription based services (e.g. ISAWS/My State)• Siren and sign systems• Local NWS Weather Forecast Office

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IPAWS SpecCAP Interface

IPAWS Public Alerting Channels

Local alerting system integration with IPAWS

cell phones

web applications, widgets, sites, social media

Emergency Alert System

Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)

Internet Services

NOAAHazCollect NWS

IPAWS OPEN

Local Unique Alerting Systems

Local Public

All Radio and TV

Emergency

Local Authorities

911 Call Center

Emergency Management

State Authorities

Others?

Police

Alerting Authorities

Local

Local

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CaveatsTo leverage the IPAWS capabilities and public alerting channels:

Need an IPAWS-compatible software tool:– CAP IPAWS USA Specification 1.2 compliant software that interoperates

with IPAWS-OPEN– Several vendor have demonstrated to the program office posting of a

digitally signed CAP message to the IPAWS-OPEN test environment • Caveat! We don’t know how well or easy it is to use or integrate their tools.• list of vendors with MOA’s to develop and test against is posted on IPAWS

website– FEMA grant programs include language that can be used to plan for, buy,

maintain and/or enhance alert and warning tools and programs. Need State/Territorial/Tribal authorization for Public Alerting Authority in your

area Need to coordinate with your local EAS Participants to carry your alerts Need to coordinate with your local NOAA NWS Weather Forecast Office for

approval to broadcast Non Weather Emergency Messages over NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio

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Alert Origination Software / tools validated against IPAWS-OPEN

Preparedness-Technology, Analysis, and Coordination (P-TAC) Center (previously called NIMS STEP)  is adding evaluation of IPAWS compatible alerting tools to their program. First evaluations should start in April 2013. see https://www.ptaccenter.org/step/index for additional info

Alerting software we have seen work in demos, tests, etc:• MyState USA• Comlabs EMnet• NC4 Eteam• Eyestreet Solutions On The Go Alerting• MITRE IC.Net• Global Security Systems Alert• ECN CodeRED• Monroe DasEOC• Buffalo Computer Graphics DisasterLAN• Interop Paraclete

138 of 173 vendor applicants have MOAs for IPAWS test access (as of 6 Dec 2012)

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Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) / Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)

IPAWS is the only way to access the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) to send Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

Cellular carrier participation voluntary– 112 carriers have opted-in

Citizens may opt-out of receiving alerts– New phones are delivered opted-in

Significantly Different from SMS/email based alerting systems

– Not subscription based -- true location based alerting

– geographically targeted messages to phones in an area - not to a database of phone numbers

– 90 character message limit– For “Alerts” only…. not for notification

type messages. Only for emergencies categorized as:

• Imminent Threat (Severity, Urgency, Certainty)

• AMBER / Child Abduction Emergency• Presidential Alerts

Uses “cell broadcast” technology to send messages to any cell phone in range of a tower.

Avoids Network Congestion - Uses different path than voice or SMS text messages that can be congested during heavy usage periods.

CMAS is the result of Public-Private Partnership FEMA, FCC and Cellular

Carriers

WEA messages are free to alerters and alertees – no usage or text message charges

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Wireless Emergency Alerts – WEA Commercial Mobile Alert System - CMAS

• Wireless Carriers Online• Includes: VZW AT&T Sprint T-

Mobile US Cellular AlltelMetroPCS56

As of December 2012

• Status• 112 Wireless Carriers have “Opted-In” to CMAS• “FCC Regulatory start” date was April 7, 2012 • Carrier network readiness and handset availability varies• Carrier is the only source of info about network and handset status

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Wireless Emergency Alerts – WEA Carrier Implementation Differences:

Carriers do WEA a bit differently – but all within regulatory requires per FCC Examples:

• Area that an alert is broadcast to:o Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T attempt to broadcast Alert only to the

area indicated in the CAP messageo Verizon Wireless broadcasts alert to all counties included in

the alert zone• (i.e. a small alert zone that overlaps the corners of three counties

is broadcast from every Verizon tower in all three counties)

• Phone displays can be slightly different, but:• Alert “pops up” on home screen when received• 90 character message is displayed• Alert tone and vibration is same on each phone

• Tone can be muted by user settings

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Snapshot of WEA Compatible Phones so far…

Verizon Wireless Sprint T-Mobile• BlackBerry Bold™ 9930• BlackBerry Curve™ 9310• BlackBerry Curve 9330• BlackBerry Torch™ 9850• Casio GZ One Commando®• Casio GZ One Ravine®• DROID Incredible by HTC• DROID Incredible 4G LTE by HTC• HTC Rhyme™• Thunderbolt™ by HTC• HTC Trophy™• LG Cosmos™ 2• LG Enlighten™• Lucid™ by LG• LG Revere™• Revolution by LG• Motorola Barrage™

• Motorola Citrus™• Droid 2 by Motorola• Droid 2 Global by Motorola• Droid 4 4G by Motorola• Droid Bionic by Motorola• Droid Pro by Motorola• Droid Razr by Motorola• Droid Razr Maxx by Motorola• Droid X by Motorola• Droid X2 by Motorola• Pantech Hotshot™• Pantech Jest™ 2• Pantech Marauder™• Samsung Brightside™• Samsung Convoy™ 2• Droid Charge by Samsung• Samsung Fascinate™• Samsung Galaxy S® III

• Sanyo Inuendo• Sanyo Vero• Sanyo Milano• HTC EVO 3D• Samsung Galaxy SII 4G Touch• LG Marque• Kyocera DuraMax• Kyocera Duracore• Kyocera Brio• Samsung Trender• HTC EVO Design 4G• Samsung Transform Ultra

• T-Mobile myTouch• T-Mobile myTouch Q• T-Mobile Prism• LG DoublePlay• Nokia Lumia 710• Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G• Samsung Galaxy S II• Samsung Galaxy S III• Samsung Galaxy Note• Samsung t159• HTC One S

AT&T US Cellular CELLCOM• Samsung Galaxy SII (SGH-i777)• Samsung Captivate Glide (SGH-i927)• Motorola Atrix 2 (mb865)

• Samsung Character R640• BlackBerry Curve 9350• BlackBerry Torch 9850

• Motorola Milestone X2

Carrier Web SiteAT&T http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB409415#fbid=EjdkPkCjI_G

Sprint http://community.sprint.com/baw/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadBody/2811-102-1 2310/Wireless%20Emergency%20Alert%20FAQ.pdf

T-Mobile http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/?features=a9140e65-fb7b-42f2-88e5-454b2ed235af

Verizon Wirelesshttp://m-support.verizonwireless.com/clc/faqs/Wireless%20Service/emergency_alerts_faq.html

US Cellular http://www.uscellular.com/uscellular/support/faq/faqDetails.jsp?topic=wireless-emergency-alerts.html#Q1

CELLCOM http://www.cellcom.com/faq_qa.html?categoryid=19#323 12

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For more information

Email the IPAWS inbox: IPAWS@dhs.gov

IPAWS Website: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/

EMI Independent Study Course IS-247: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is247.asp

Mailing list for IPAWS Webinar notices:http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USDHSFEMA_165

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IPAWS Program Office POCsAntwane.Johnson@dhs.govOffice: (202) 646-4383Director, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Division

Wade.Witmer@dhs.govOffice: (202) 646-2523Deputy Director, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Division

Mark.Lucero@dhs.govOffice: (202) 646-1386Chief Engineering, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Division

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QUESTIONS?

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Additional Info

How to become an IPAWS user

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Public Alert and Warning Planning EssentialsJust as with any other public safety or emergency plans… should have a public

warning program, that considers the following:

1. Your jurisdiction’s vulnerabilities – what threats may you need to warn the public about?

2. Who is authorized to originate and manage alerts Emergency Manager, Incident Commander,

Watch Officer, Public Information Officer, etc.

3. Identify and engage with local public communications partners; your public warning partners – discuss capabilities and to seek advice and council

4. Develop clear and repeatable warning policies, guidelines, procedures, training, test and exercise plans

5. Review and frequently update public warning plans and policies in coordination with all warning partners

6. Educate the public on the importance of being informed and the use of warning sources

7. Test and Exercise Frequently

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What do you need to do to use IPAWS?1. You need an IPAWS-compatible software tool:

– List of vendors developing compatible tools is on IPAWS website

2. Execute a security Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DHS/FEMA• Formalizes approval for message exchange between your system and IPAWS-OPEN

system – the MOA application is on the IPAWS website• The MOA establishes an IPAWS Collaborative Operating Group (COG)

account for your organization• COGs may be established for State/territorial, regional, or local level organizations • COG owners administer their own member accounts through their software

system

Once the these steps are complete, a digital certificate is issued for installation on your IPAWS-compatible tool that is used to digitally sign all of your messages

You now have the ability to exchange alert information only with other COGs

If your organization also seeks public alerting authority through IPAWS, an additional application is required…

Info and forms are on FEMA IPAWS website or via request to

IPAWS@dhs.gov

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Application for Public Alerting Authority

If your organization wants to leverage IPAWS public alerting channels, a few additional steps are required:

3. Complete and Coordinate a Public Alerting application for the COG organization with your State POC. (public alerting application is available by request sent to IPAWS@dhs.gov)

The application will ask you to identify: the IPAWS public alerting channels to be used (EAS, WEA/CMAS, HazCollect) the geographic extent of alerting authority (Statewide? Multi-county? Single

county?) the Event Codes (from EAS/SAME) the organization is authorized to use - this

must be consistent with State and local EAS and other local Operating Plans4. Complete EMI Independent Study Course IS-247 “Integrated Public Alert and

Warning System”

Why does FEMA need State, or other formal validation of your “alerting authority”?– Ensures that alerting permissions are coordinated and consistent with State, Territorial,

Tribal EAS and AMBER Alert plans, or other state and local public warning plans– Preferably your public alerting application should be routed and signed by a designated

state authority before being submitted to FEMA. IPAWS has found a designated authority for most states. Request info for your state from IPAWS@dhs.gov.

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Alert Disseminators (public alerting systems)

IPAWS Architecture (State and Local accessible components)

cell phones

web applications, widgets, web sites, social media

Emergency Alert System

Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS)

Internet Services

NOAA

Alert Aggregator/

Gateway

the Message Router(Open Platform for

Emergency Networks)

HazCollect

Local

State

Territorial

Tribal

Federal*

ETNFM RBDS

NWS

CA

P m

essa

ges

CA

P messagesIPAWS compliant

CAP Alert Origination Tools

IPAWS OPEN

Future Technologies

Alerting Authorities

* Includes NOAA

IPAWS compliant CAP Alert

Origination ToolsState / Local Unique Alerting Systems

American People

Digital Signage

Siren

All Radio and TVAM FM; Digital, Analog, Cable, and Satellite

Emergency

How IPAWS Works…

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CAP Message is created by a local public safety official in their alerting tool, digitally signed and sent to the IPAWS-OPEN

How IPAWS Works…

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IPAWS-OPEN verifies digital signature, validates CAP file, and determines where it goes

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Dissemination channels connected to or monitoring IPAWS-OPEN receive alert message from IPAWS-OPEN.

Alerts broadcast to

local consumer devices!

Local systems could be configured to monitor IPAWS as source for local alerts also.

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Information for software tool vendors: Three documents define CAP as it will be implemented and used in IPAWS:

– OASIS CAP Standard v1.2 – IPAWS Specification to the CAP Standard(CAP v1.2 IPAWS USA Profile v1.0) – CAP to EAS Implementation Guide

An IPAWS-OPEN Developers Guide is available via request to IPAWS@dhs.gov

Monthly Webinars for System Developers - see IPAWS web page for schedule and archives: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/working_group.shtm.

39 Vendors have declared intent to develop IPAWS public alert posting interoperating tools - 18 Vendors have demonstrated successful posting of a digitally signed CAP public alert to IPAWS in the test environment:

IPAWS

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The Evolution of Public Emergency Alerting

Originally called the “Key Station System,” the CONtrol of ELectromagnetic RADiation (CONELRAD) was established in August 1951.

Participating stations tuned to 640 & 1240 kHz AM and initiated a special sequence and procedure designed to warn citizens.

IPAWS modernizes and integrates the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure.

Integrates new and existing public alert and warning systems and technologies thru adoption of new alert information exchange format - the Common Alerting Protocol or CAP

Provides authorities a broader range of message options and multiple communications pathways

original timeline info borrowed from: The Broadcast Archive by Barry Mishkind, The Eclectic Engineer

EBS was initiated to address the nation through audible alerts. It did not allow for targeted messaging.

System upgraded in 1976 to provide for better and more accurate handling of alert receptions.

Originally designed to provide the President with an expeditious method of communicating with the American Public, it was expanded for use during peacetime at state and local levels.

EAS jointly coordinated by the FCC, FEMA and NWS.

Designed for President to speak to American people within 10 minutes.

EAS messages composed of 4 parts:

• Digitally encoded header

• Attention Signal• Audio Announcement• Digitally encoded end-

of-message marker

Provided for better integration with NOAA weather and local alert distribution to broadcasters

CONELRAD EBS EAS IPAWS1951 - 1963 1963 - 1997 1997 - - - - - - - - present -

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IPAWS Vision

“Timely Alert And Warning To American Citizens In The Preservation of Life And Property”

Integration of public alert communications systems:

Facilitate single emergency alert message delivery to all available public dissemination channels

Easier to use by public safety/alerting authorities

Improves and Enhances emergency alerting capability in two critical ways:

– reliability that affected citizens receive an alert via at least one path – likelihood that citizens react to emergency alerts

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IPAWS… So what?

Why should a local or state organization go to the trouble of integrating with IPAWS?

Local public safety systems integrated with IPAWS can leverage IPAWS to send emergency alerts to the public in their jurisdictions through:

– local radio and TV EAS participants

– local weather radios via NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio,

AND:– Local cellular phones via the Wireless Emergency Alert service,

– and Internet services and applications participating with IPAWS

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

Emergency

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Emergency Alert System and IPAWS

All EAS Participants are required to monitor IPAWS for a national EAS emergency alert message

FCC deadline for EAS participants to begin receiving CAP formatted alerts from IPAWS is June 30, 2012

– Many participants have already installed updated equipment and are monitoring the IPAWS EAS Feed

– 4 test messages (RWTs) per week are posted on the IPAWS EAS Feed

State and Local authorities can use IPAWS to route alerts to local EAS stations

IPAWS should complement - but not replace - the systems you are currently using for EAS

EAS Participants are defined by the FCC’s EAS rules in C.F.R. 47 Part 11 and include all radio and television broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline providers (e.g. Verizon FiOS or AT&T Uverse)

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How does the EAS Feed work?

Alerts sent to IPAWS-OPEN by federal, state, and local alerting authorities are posted to the IPAWS EAS Feed hosted at the FEMA data centers

EAS Participants configure their EAS devices to monitor the IPAWS EAS Feed− local location/FIPS codes for the participating station − what alerts they will broadcast in accordance with local and state agreements/policies− the IPAWS EAS Feed URL (could also monitor a state or local CAP alert server)

EAS devices poll the EAS feed for relevant active alerts fitting the stations profile

Appropriate Alerts are retrieved and broadcast in accordance with the State EAS Plan and any agreements with local officials

Commercial Mobile Alerting SystemWireless Emergency Alerts

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Wireless Emergency Alerts – WEA Commercial Mobile Alert System - CMAS

• Wireless Carriers Online• Includes: VZW (~108M subscribers)

AT&T (~103M subscribersSprint (~55M subscribers)

T-Mobile (~34M subscribers)56

• Status• 112 Wireless Carriers have “Opted-In” to CMAS• “FCC Regulatory start” date was April 7, 2012 • Carrier network readiness and handset availability varies• Carrier is the only source of info about network and handset status

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Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) / Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)

IPAWS is the only way emergency managers can access the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) to send Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

Enables authorized public safety officials to send 90 character, geographically targeted, emergency alerts to cellular phones in a danger zone

Uses “cell broadcast” technology to avoid network congestion

Cellular carrier participation voluntary– 147 carriers have opted-in

Citizens may opt-out of receiving alerts– New phones are delivered opted-in

Significantly Different from SMS/email based alerting systems

– Not subscription based -- true location based alerting

– Sends alerts to phones in an area - not to a database of phone numbers

– For “Alerts” only…. not for notification type messages

– Only for emergencies categorized as:• Imminent Threat (Severity, Urgency, Certainty)

• AMBER / Child Abduction Emergency• Presidential (*** Cannot Opt-Out ***)

CMAS capability is free to alerters and alertees – no usage or text message charges

CMAS is the result of Public-Private Partnership FEMA, FCC and Cellular Carriers

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Alerts are Broadcast! - Very different than Subscription Services

Verizon – WEA broadcast if cell tower within county

County

WEA broadcast is represented by the shaded circles.Note: Map is not drawn to scale and is for illustrative purposes only.

AT&T – WEA broadcast if tower inside polygon

County

WEA broadcast is represented by the shaded circles.Note: Map is not drawn to scale and is for illustrative purposes only.

County

Sprint – WEA broadcast if tower coverage overlaps polygon

WEA broadcast is represented by the shaded circles.Note: Map is not drawn to scale and is for illustrative purposes only.

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Snapshot of WEA Compatible Phones so far…

Verizon Wireless Sprint T-Mobile• BlackBerry Bold™ 9930• BlackBerry Curve™ 9310• BlackBerry Curve 9330• BlackBerry Torch™ 9850• Casio GZ One Commando®• Casio GZ One Ravine®• DROID Incredible by HTC• DROID Incredible 4G LTE by HTC• HTC Rhyme™• Thunderbolt™ by HTC• HTC Trophy™• LG Cosmos™ 2• LG Enlighten™• Lucid™ by LG• LG Revere™• Revolution by LG• Motorola Barrage™

• Motorola Citrus™• Droid 2 by Motorola• Droid 2 Global by Motorola• Droid 4 4G by Motorola• Droid Bionic by Motorola• Droid Pro by Motorola• Droid Razr by Motorola• Droid Razr Maxx by Motorola• Droid X by Motorola• Droid X2 by Motorola• Pantech Hotshot™• Pantech Jest™ 2• Pantech Marauder™• Samsung Brightside™• Samsung Convoy™ 2• Droid Charge by Samsung• Samsung Fascinate™• Samsung Galaxy S® III

• Sanyo Inuendo• Sanyo Vero• Sanyo Milano• HTC EVO 3D• Samsung Galaxy SII 4G Touch• LG Marque• Kyocera DuraMax• Kyocera Duracore• Kyocera Brio• Samsung Trender• HTC EVO Design 4G• Samsung Transform Ultra

• T-Mobile myTouch• T-Mobile myTouch Q• T-Mobile Prism• LG DoublePlay• Nokia Lumia 710• Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G• Samsung Galaxy S II• Samsung Galaxy S III• Samsung Galaxy Note• Samsung t159• HTC One S

AT&T US Cellular CELLCOM• Samsung Galaxy SII (SGH-i777)• Samsung Captivate Glide (SGH-i927)• Motorola Atrix 2 (mb865)

• Samsung Character R640• BlackBerry Curve 9350• BlackBerry Torch 9850

• Motorola Milestone X2

Carrier Web SiteAT&T http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB409415#fbid=EjdkPkCjI_G

Sprint http://community.sprint.com/baw/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadBody/2811-102-1 2310/Wireless%20Emergency%20Alert%20FAQ.pdf

T-Mobile http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/?features=a9140e65-fb7b-42f2-88e5-454b2ed235af

Verizon Wirelesshttp://m-support.verizonwireless.com/clc/faqs/Wireless%20Service/emergency_alerts_faq.html

US Cellular http://www.uscellular.com/uscellular/support/faq/faqDetails.jsp?topic=wireless-emergency-alerts.html#Q1

CELLCOM http://www.cellcom.com/faq_qa.html?categoryid=19#323 40

NOAA Integration

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NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio

The National Weather Service (NWS) All-Hazards Emergency Message Collection System, or HazCollect, can be accessed through IPAWS

HazCollect enables emergency alert messages from local alerting authorities to be broadcast over local NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio transmitters

Permission to access Hazcollect must be coordinated and approved through the NWS in coordination with your local Weather Forecast Office

− additional info at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/hazcollect/

HazCollect interface between FEMA IPAWS and NOAA has been in place since 2010

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NOAA’s use of IPAWS

• Weather alerts that met CMAS Criteria and were delivered thru cellular networks to WEA ready cell phones1,954

• Number of CAP messages from the National Weather Service processed by IPAWS between June 1 and October 22, 2012235,000

National Weather Service began sending WEA messages in June, 2012

NWS weather alerts are not being posted on the IPAWS EAS Feed, yet. Further testing and development to ensure that weather alerts via the IPAWS EAS Feed do

not create duplicate broadcasts by EAS equipment at radio and TV stations is on-going NWS weather alerts via traditional means are not impacted

and will continue even after NWS messages begin posting to the IPAWS EAS Feed .

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Internet Services

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Internet Services / Applications

Internet web services and applications that choose may request access to monitor and retrieve public alerts in CAP format from IPAWS

− IPAWS Public Alerts Feed is on-line as of September 2012 Services then post or distribute emergency alerts information

− e.g. Google.org Public Alerts web page publishes active alerts retrieved from NOAA and the USGS at www.google.org/publicalerts

Weather Channel App Developers

Social Media, AOL, etc….

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FEMA IPAWS Language in Federal Grant Programs Funding from the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) and/or Tribal

Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) may be used to enhance existing or establish new alert and warning programs

Organizations seeking grants are encouraged to contact FEMA Grants Office and IPAWS Office prior to initiating program activities

– program guidance, tools, resources and updates are available– contact IPAWS Office at ipaws@dhs.gov

Grants can be used for planning and equipment purchases– Planning: development or enhancement of public alert and warning plans, interoperability

governing bodies, development or enhancement of alert and warning assessments and inventories, development or enhancement of alert and warning protocols, planning for emerging technologies

– Equipment: design, construction , implementation, enhancement, replacement, and maintenance of emergency response communications systems and equipment, planning procurement and deployment of emerging technology systems

Remember, FEMA grant business is done through the State---counties, locals, private entities, etc. must go through/coordinate with the State to obtain grant funds

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Flawed Delivery? Why Alert Notification Systems Sometimes Fall Short

Telephone alerting systems’ main problems can be broken down into two general, yet contradictory, categories:– In some situations, officials did not have residents’ telephone number, making calls impossible– In other cases, something went wrong with the local automated notification system and calls

weren’t delivered, perhaps because local circuit failures can occur during heavy call volume

There are over 331 million wireless telephone subscribers in the US; this is in stark contrast to the number of phone lines in the US, which dropped from 162.7 million in 2008 to 145.8 million in 2011

Throughout the country, cities and counties use public awareness and incentive programs to encourage the public to subscribe to alerts – In two small counties in Colorado, subscription based alerting was just over 2%; in larger

Colorado counties, the subscription rates are not much better– Even in New York City, alert subscription rates are at 12%

CMAS doesn’t send WEA messages through a one-to-one connection as land line and cellphone calls do. Instead, the carriers broadcast the message and the message is picked up by WEA-enabled mobile devices in the area.

CMAS/WEA is just one component of IPAWS – and even as IPAWS grows, it will not replace existing state and local alerting initiatives, but rather enhance them.

By Rick Wimberly, Emergency Management Magazine, September/October 2012 http://www.emergencymgmt.com/ 47

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Additional IPAWS Information Resources:

Developed for State/Local public safety and EAS Participants to use for EAS test preparation, information, and education activities

– State Toolkit for IPAWS Adoption•

– EAS Best Practices Guide:•

– EAS Test Informational Toolkit:•

Technical and procedural info on how to configure EAS equipment, industry best practices, history and info on how to use EAS

General EAS and Nationwide EAS Test Information, recommended practical approaches for EAS public awareness campaigns, tools for customization of EAS for State and local government

Information to assist state, county and local government officials in adopting, incorporating and using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and IPAWS

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Executive Order 13407 - Public Alert and Warning System “It is the policy of the United States to have an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and

comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people in situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster, or other hazards to public safety and well-being (public alert and warning system), taking appropriate account of the functions, capabilities, and needs of the private sector and of all levels of government in our Federal system, and to ensure that under all conditions the President can communicate with the American people.”

To implement the policy, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall:[summarized]

I. Inventory, evaluate, and assess …public alert and warning resources;

II. Establish or adopt, … common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures … to enable interoperability and the secure delivery of coordinated messages to the American people through as many communication pathways as practicable,

VI. Ensure the conduct of training, tests, and exercises for the public alert and warning system;

VII. Ensure the conduct of public education efforts

VIII. Consult, coordinate, and cooperate with the private sector,

IX. Administer the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as a critical component of the public alert and warning system; and

X. Ensure that under all conditions the President of the United States can alert and warn the American people.