Using the IPAWS Open Platform for Emergency Networks, the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), also known as the Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN), will allow alerting authorities to send a non-subscription based 90 character text message to cell phones in geo-targeted areas to alert or warn individuals affected by an imminent threat, AMBER Alert, or Presidential Message. Individuals in the geo-targeted alerts can receive the alert even if cellular towers in their location can no longer support person to person calls.   CMAS is not a FEMA developed new technology--the cell broadcast technology is a commercial mobile industry standard. Industry is completing broadcast technology implementation nationwide to support alert delivery. The FEMA IPAWS Program Management Office works closely with cellular service providers and the FCC to realize our joint goal of expanding the communication pathways to the American people so they can receive alerts and warnings.   Although participation in CMAS is voluntary, 142 mobile service providers have filed their intent to participate. In 47 CFR Part 10, the FCC defined the rules for carrier participation and defined the basic architecture with a federal entity being single source for authenticated users; the FCC also manages a list of participating carriers. IPAWS is the technical and operational interface between public safety/alert authorities and participating carriers with IPAWS OPEN authenticating alerting authorities.   FCC regulations require CMAS participants to be prepared to roll out CMAS/PLAN starting in April 2012. For more information, please view FEMA Assistant Administrator for National Continuity Programs, Damon Penn’s blog on CMAS/PLAN.   Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)/(PLAN) Goodbye OPEN 1.0: Hello OPEN 2.0 The Open Platform for Emergency Networks (OPEN) enables the interoperable sharing of emergency alerts and incident-related data between systems that comply with non-proprietary information standards, and will serve as the message aggregator for the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.    The legacy Disaster Management program DM-OPEN 1.0 will be decommissioned July 31, 2011.  At that time, the related Disaster Management Interoperability System (DMIS) Tools, or any privately developed interoperable software applications that relied on DM-OPEN, will no longer function.   DM-OPEN 1.0 will be replaced with IPAWS-OPEN 2.0, which continues to provide interoperable Web services.  The initial operating capability of OPEN 2.0 includes:   Capability to exchange standards-compliant messages and content between emergency response organizations, and   Access to the National Weather Service (NWS) All-Hazards Emergency Message Collection System (HazCollect) for NWS- approved alerting authorities   Private sector system developers have been coordinating with FEMA to transition their products to the new OPEN 2.0 platform.  A list of IPAWS-OPEN Developers who have executed a Memorandum of Agreement for the purpose of testing their products is available from: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/ipaws/open_developers.pdf   IPAWS-OPEN 3.0 is in development and testing and expected to be available in the fall of 2011.  This version will support the full functionality necessary to support the IPAWS mission to provide integrated services and capabilities to local, state, and federal authorities that enable them to alert and warn their respective communities via multiple communications methods, including the Emergency Alert System and the Commercial Mobile Alert System.   For further information about IPAWS-OPEN, please see: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/aggregator.shtm July 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1 Special Points of Interest: EAS Roundtable CAP Conformance Testing CMAS/PLAN OPEN 2.0 Inside this issue: CMAS)/PLAN 1 Goodbye OPEN 1.O : Hello OPEN 2.0 1-2 EAS Roundtable 2 Calendar of Events 3 Conformance Testing 3 Learn More About IPAWS 3 (continued from page 1) Emergency Alert System (EAS) Roundtable  In preparation for the National Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test on November 9, 2011 at 2:00pm EST, the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) hosted a Virtual Roundtable event Thursday, June 9, with industry, Federal, State and local government leaders in the emergency alert and warning field.   The June 9 Virtual Roundtable was a resounding success, with over 400 attendees! Virtual Roundtable leaders and experts discussed experiential and anecdotal EAS technical challenges and EAS community engagement activities to harness and share existing lessons learned.   FEMA IPAWS is currently in process of compiling a more thorough best practice guide from the virtual roundtable discussion and will feature the document on the IPAWS website (we will post an announcement on the National Dialogue website and a link to the document when it is available). The best practice guide will be continually updated at all EAS Community webinars and virtual roundtable events.    FEMA IPAWS and the FCC would like to thank the following participating organizations: National Association of Broadcasters, Society of Broadcast Engineers, National Alliance of State Broadcaster Associations, American Cable Association, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Primary Entry Point Administrative Council, Broadcast Warning Working Group, Alaska Broadcasters Association, Alaska Division of Homeland Security, and Michigan Association of Broadcasters FEMA, the FCC, and NOAA.   Our vision for improving the EAS is incremental, which means testing the readiness and effectiveness of the EAS as it currently exists today is the first step. A more resilient and functional EAS requires continual testing to identify necessary improvements so that all levels of the system can better serve our communities and deliver critical information that will save lives and property.   The EAS Test is not a pass or fail measure, nor will it specifically test Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) compliant equipment (although CAP compliant equipment will pass the Emergency Action Notification [EAN] live-code in the same manner as legacy EAS equipment).   Future testing of the EAS will assess the effectiveness and reliability of other technologies to realize the ultimate goal of timely alert and warning to American public in the preservation of life and property. IPAWS will build and maintain an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive alert and warning system to reach the American public before, during, and after a disaster through as many means as possible. Page # Integrated Public Alert and Warning System eBulletin The Open Platform for Emergency Networks 1.0 will be replaced by OPEN 2.0 in June 2011. For more information please visit: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/ Check out our National Dialogue on the Emergency Alert System Website: https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/a/editWebPortal.do Or contact us at: ipaws@dhs.gov Calendar of Events EAS Test Update Webinar (July 7,2011) National Improvised Nuclear Device Response and Recovery Forum Arlington VA (July 12-14, 2011) National Council for Independent Living Annual Conference Washington, D.C. (July 13-16, 2011) Texas Association of Broadcasters Conference Austin, TX (August 10-11, 2011) National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Training Philadelphia, PA (August 23-25, 2011) Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference National Harbor, Maryland (August 30-September 1, 2011) IPAWS To learn more, join us online every month for Webinars devoted to up-to-date information about different aspects of the IPAWS program. Each Webinar provides ample opportunity for participants to ask questions or provide feedback.   Our next program is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern and will feature the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), also known as the Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN). This is a significant new capability that enables public officials to broadcast presidential, imminent threat, and AMBER alerts to cell phones physically located in the affected areas. For background information, see the FCC’s PLAN Fact Sheet.   The July 20th webinar will be a combination of both our regularly scheduled webinars for practitioners and developers.   To receive an invitation to practitioner focused events and future Webinars by email, please use this link to subscribe: http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USDHSFEMA_165  A separate mailing list is maintained for technical system developers. Please use this link to subscribe: http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USDHSFEMA_166   Can’t make it in person? Archives of all programs may be accessed from: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/working_group.shtm Want to Learn More About IPAWS? Page 3 Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System eBulletin IPAWS eBulletin For more information please visit: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/ Or contact us at: ipaws@dhs.gov http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/ Email: ipaws@dhs.gov Conformance Testing  The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) has established the Conformity Assessment Program to assess vendor products for adherence to and appropriate application of the IPAWS CAP Profile for alert message creation and dissemination. Currently, CAP Conformance testing is in progress. IPAWS Program Management Office encourages all responders, broadcasters, and other EAS equipment users to learn more about the program and to access test reports on the RKB website https://www.rkb.us/search.cfm?typeid=5. Please check the IPAWS website for more information on future testing. Additional information will be published soon.   If you are seeking information on test guidance or test documentation templates visit the following website, https://www.nimssc.org/ipawsconform/.   Pictured above and below are images of EAS Equipments present at the IPAWS booth during the NAB Show this past April.