Frequently Asked Questions - Backup Means for Alert and Notification Systems 
Revised 12/28/2011
NEW 12/02/2011
1) Question: Referencing page II-30, what is the procedure/process for submitting alternative alert and notification systems for approval?

Answer: The “design report” for an alternative alert and notification system will include a request for approval, a system description, and a testing protocol that details the periodic tests of the system. This system will include the proposed capability. Performance may also be based upon the use of the system in concert with existing systems, to test the overall totality of the combined systems.
This information will be sent from the ORO through the State to the FEMA Region RAC Chair. The RAC Chair will make a recommendation to FEMA REP HQ, who will take into consideration the capability of the particular system and make an approval within 90 business days of receiving the request. All systems will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
More information regarding the design report will be found in the FEMA REP-10 Draft that will be released for public comment after January 1, 2012.

2) Question: On page II-28, when speaking of alert and notification of the public, what is meant by “essentially 100 percent of the EPZ population?”

Answer: The term “essentially 100 percent of the population” refers to the standard by which an Alert and Notification System is measured. A system must be able to cover 100% of all of the populated areas of an EPZ. This is not an attempt to measure that 100% of the EPZ population was reached, only that the ability exists to reach the entire population.

3) Question: Can an automatic telephone dialer system, which is an alert and notification method that automatically dials pre-selected telephone numbers and plays a recorded emergency announcement when the telephone is answered, be used as primary or backup Alert and notification system?

Answer: Yes, such a system can be used as either a primary or a back-up system, as long as the system has gone through the FEMA approval process and has an approved backup system. FEMA does not endorse certain systems based on name, but on capability. These systems can also be used in conjunction with other approved ANS systems.

4) Question: When will FEMA-REP-10 be released? 

Answer: FEMA REP-10 is currently in the review process. It will be sent out for public comment after January 1, 2012. 

5) Question: How do the new requirements for back up alert and notification coincide with the upcoming Integrated Public Alert and Warning Systems (IPAWS) requirements?

Answer: FEMA REP guidance will evolve as IPAWS requirements become available.  

NEW 12/28/2011
6) Question: When does the 45-minute clock start for back up alert and notification?

Answer: The 45-minute clock starts as soon as the responsible organization for activation of the primary Alert and Notification System (ANS) determines that there has been a failure.
7) Question: For acceptable design objectives, when does the 15-minute clock start for the capability of providing both an alert and informational message? (Supp 4, Pg. 14, 2.a)

Answer: The acceptable design objective is that the ORO must be able to alert and inform the public within 15 minutes of the decision to notify the public.