Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)
Partners
FEMA has partnered with recognized government and industry leaders and technical experts to ensure that the IPAWS program incorporates the latest technology and is practical for prospective users including local broadcasters, emergency responders and the general public. FEMA selected these partners because of their expertise, contributions to the emergency alert systems, and support during actual emergencies. A brief description of FEMA's partners, their involvement, and website links can be found below.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC provides information to broadcasters, cable system operators, and other participants regarding the technical requirements of the EAS. Additionally, the FCC ensures that state and local plans developed by industry conform to the FCC rules and regulations. The FCC will ensure that communications systems can transmit alerts and warnings to the public as part of IPAWS.
The creation of standards that are compatible with new and emerging technologies is an essential part of the IPAWS program. On July 12, 2007, the FCC provisionally adopted the Common Alerting Protocol as the new standard for alert messages. The FCC designed the EAS to be implemented through a cooperative arrangement among the FCC, FEMA, the National Weather Service (NWS), and the states. For more information, please see www.fcc.gov
Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC)
The JITC is a division of the Defense Information Systems Agency that supports FEMA in managing information during an emergency. FEMA needs emergency communications to be interoperable with those of the Department of Defense. JITC provides FEMA support for certification and accreditation on FEMA supported systems. For more information, please see jitc.fhu.disa.mil/washops/jtcb/fema.html.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA is working with FEMA and the FCC to help implement IPAWS. NOAA, as part of the Department of Commerce, is included in Executive Order 13407. For more information, please see www.noaa.gov/wx.html.
National Weather Service (NWS)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NWS provides emergency weather information to alert the public of dangerous local weather conditions and other emergencies. The existing EAS system monitors the NWS for emergency weather alerts and then rebroadcasts them. For more information, please see www.nws.noaa.gov/.
DHS Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate
FEMA is partnering with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate to establish alert and warning standards and protocols to support the ability of state, territorial, tribal, and local emergency managers to send alerts to their residents during emergencies. The standards and protocols will allow for states to select the capabilities that they need without any major reinvestments if they opt to change their capabilities in the future. For more information, please see www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/editorial_0530.shtm.
Others
Several public and private organizations are contributing to the IPAWS program, including the Society of Broadcast Engineers, National Association of Broadcasters, Association of Public Television Stations, International Association of Emergency Managers, National Emergency Management Association, and The Weather Channel.
Last Modified: Friday, 29-May-2009 23:59:30 EDT