IPAWS Library

The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Program Management Office (PMO) develops informational materials about IPAWS to increase understanding and awareness of this unique program. These materials are periodically updated as additional IPAWS features are implemented and new information becomes available.

Newsletters

These non-technical publications highlight news media coverage of public alerting, congratulate recently authorized Alerting Authorities, and report significant developments in the IPAWS system and services to IPAWS stakeholders.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Resources

FEMA, the FCC, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS) work collaboratively to maintain the EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts, which are the two main components of the national public warning system and enable authorities at all levels of government to send urgent emergency information to the public.

Other Resources

How Tribal Nations Can Use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to Save Lives

IPAWS is FEMA's national online tool that Tribal leaders and officials can use to issue local alerts and warnings, such as Missing Persons or Public Health and Safety alerts, to their jurisdiction. IPAWS gives Tribal Nations the ability to deliver a single alert simultaneously through multiple communication pathways, reaching as many people as possible to save lives and protect property.

Cross Jurisdictional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Alerting Authorities (AA) recognize the need for interagency cooperation to enhance public alerting capabilities. This Memorandum of Understanding sample allows AAs to establish a backup AA to issue alert, warnings and notifications on their behalf, to their respective communities in the unlikely event the original AA is not able to perform that function.

IPAWS Best Practices

This publication is all-inclusive, providing alerting authorities (AA) with instruction on use of IPAWS to alert, warn and notify the public via the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, Non-Weather Emergency Messages and other communication pathways.

In addition, the guide provides recommendations on implementing internal policies and procedures to maximize your efficacy with IPAWS. Proficiency with IPAWS is essential to keep your community informed during public safety and emergency situations.

IPAWS Process Playbook

The Process Map Playbook illustrates the interconnected processes for federal, state, local, tribal and territorial alerting authorities to send alerts through IPAWS.

Train the Trainer Program Guide

The Train the Trainer Program Guide provides state, local, tribal and territorial alerting administrators with recommendations and best practices that can be used when developing an internal training program for Alerts, Warnings and Notifications (AWN). The Guide focuses on components of a successful Train the Trainer Program, including AWN System Information, Alerting System Standard Operating Procedures, Testing and Exercise Guidelines, and Training Guidelines.

Guide for Constructing WEA and EAS Messages

Research shows the public is more responsive to clear messages that are free of jargon and use plain language. An effective warning message includes sufficient information to validate the public's risk and spur them to take appropriate action. To help ensure that warning messages are effective, they must include and clearly address the following: Source, Threat, Location, Guidance/Time, Expiration Time.

Sign Up to Use IPAWS to Send Public Alerts and Warnings

A federal, state, local, tribal or territorial public safety organization that applies for authorization to use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is designated as an Alerting Authority. Follow these steps to obtain access to IPAWS for permission to disseminate your alerts to the public through EAS, WEA, and NOAA Weather Radio.

IPAWS Glossary

Definitions of commonly used IPAWS terms.

Event Code Glossary

Non-Weather Emergency Message (NWEM) event codes are available to State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Alerting Authorities for use with the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS). The weather-related event codes, not listed here, are reserved for the National Weather Service. Use of these event codes by Alerting Authorities depends on established IPAWS permissions.

IPAWS EAS and WEA Alert Standardizations Checklists

The checklists assist in reviewing and confirming drafted Emergency Alert System alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and Non-Weather Emergency Messages align with the national and international standard used by the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to effectively issue alerts and warnings.

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