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Integrated Public Alert and (IPAWS) IPAWS

Process Map Playbook Version 1.0

February 2021

FEMA IPAWS 1 Process Map Playbook Table of Contents

1.0 Process Map Playbook Purpose 3 2.0Alert Distribution Through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) 5 3.0Process to Become an IPAWS Alerting Authority (AA) 6 4.0Processes for Emergency Alerts (WEA) 7 4.1Wireless Emergency Alert Process Map 8

4.2Process for an Alerting Authority to Send a Wireless Emergency Alert 9 5.0Processes in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) 10 5.1Emergency Alert System Alert Process Map 11 6.0Alert Standardizations Checklist 12 7.0 Associated Resources 13

FEMA IPAWS 2 Process Map Playbook Purpose

About the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)

The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) program was created by the Federal Agency (FEMA) in 2006, per Executive Order 13407.

IPAWS is a network of complex systems that lets Federal, State, Tribal, Territorial, and Local Alerting Authorities (AA) send geographically-targeted alerts. IPAWS alerts save lives and protect property by quickly informing the public of impending natural and man-made , or other hazards to public safety and well-being.

Messages created by AAs are verified through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN). Once verified, alerts are sent through the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) as well as -based and unique alerting systems.

FEMA IPAWS 3 Process Map Playbook Purpose

About the Process Map Playbook

The Process Map Playbook illustrates the interconnected processes for Federal, State, Tribal, Territorial, and Local Alerting Authorities (AA) to send alerts through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). IPAWS alerts quickly inform the public and save lives and protect property.

This Playbook brings together information from a variety of resources to streamline knowledge for IPAWS stakeholders. IPAWS’ stakeholders include the Federal Government, State and Local entities, wireless providers, broadcasters, and others involved with existing and emerging technologies.

The Process Map Playbook demonstrates the importance of preparation, training, resource- sharing, communication, and relationship development.

FEMA IPAWS 4 Alert Distribution Through Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) quickly distributes alerts to the Public through multiple broadcast pathways including the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), internet services, state, local, tribal and territorial alerting systems, and emerging technologies as depicted below. Responsibility Key Alerting Authority and Originator Event Takes Place or is Imminent DHS - FEMA Towers Alert Disseminators Broadcast Public Receives Alert on: Alert Public State, Territorial, Tribal, Local or Federal Alerting Authority (AA) EAS TV and Determines if an Alert is Needed Disseminators Distribute Alert WEA Mobile Phones Through Alerting Alerting Originator (AO) Systems Composes Common Alerting NOAA Weather No Alert Protocol (CAP) Compliant Alert Needed AO Reviews Alert Internet Connected Standardizations Checklist Internet Services Devices (e.g. Billboards, , etc.)

AO Sends Alert to the IPAWS- Open Platform for Emergency State and Local Sirens Save Lives and Alerting Systems Networks (IPAWS-OPEN) Protect Property

Emerging Emerging Technologies Technologies Alert is Delivered to IPAWS-OPEN Authenticated Alert is Delivered to Disseminators

Alert Source and In seconds, IPAWS Sends Public Follows are Authenticated Authenticated Alert to Guidance Alerting Disseminators

FEMA IPAWS 5 Process to Become an IPAWS Alerting Authority (AA) To become an Alerting Authority (AA), public safety officials must apply for access from the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send public alerts and warnings. Visit How to Sign Up for IPAWS and start IPAWS Training to begin. The IPAWS Customer Support Team is available to answer questions about capabilities, considerations and to assist with the application process. Alerting Authority (AA) Responsibility Key is Made Aware of IPAWS Capabilities Alerting Authority Review and Obtain Signature Return Form with Final From State or Tribal Official Signature to IPAWS Consult With State About Pursuing IPAWS

Initiate Process to Save Lives and Obtain IPAWS for Your Receive IPAWS Protect Property Organization Authorization Identify the Event Codes Intended to be Used Based Complete IPAWS On Local Hazards EMI Training Courses 247 and 251 Install IPAWS Digital Complete Public Alerting Certificates Learn More about IPAWS Permissions Application and Contact IPAWS Provided by IPAWS Customer Support with Increase Public any Questions Complete Initial Decide Not to IPAWS Training Awareness and Pursue IPAWS AA Education Campaigns Authorization Receive Collaborative Operating Commit to Becoming an Group (COG) Name and IPAWS Authorized AA Identification Number Complete Vendor Software Training Send IPAWS Submit Completed Alerts to Public Compare Vendor MOA Form to IPAWS as Necessary Capabilities and Costs Practice in IPAWS Lab

Select 1 IPAWS Complete Memorandum of Miss 3 Consecutive Months of Event Takes Place or Compatible Software Agreement (MOA) Form IPAWS Lab Proficiency Demos and Lose IPAWS Access is Imminent

FEMA IPAWS 6 Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) IPAWS

Processes for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

FEMA IPAWS 7 Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) Process Map The teamwork of several systems including the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN), vendor software, wireless providers and cell towers allows the Public to receive a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on their mobile phones within seconds. Responsibility Key Alerting Authority (AA) Alerting Authority and Originator Practices Sending Alerts IPAWS-OPEN Transmits WEA DHS - FEMA in the IPAWS Lab to Wireless Providers Wireless Providers

Public

Event Takes Place or is Imminent Alert Source and Wireless Providers Determine Appropriate Cell Message are Save Lives and Towers to Broadcast Alert Protect Property Authenticated by AA is Notified of Event IPAWS-OPEN and Determines a WEA is Needed Wireless Providers Send Alert

AO Sends Alert to Public Follows Alerting Originator (AO) IPAWS-OPEN Cell Towers Within Guidance Accesses Vendor Software Select Area Receive AO Selects Geo- and Broadcast Alert Targeted Area Public Receives Alert on Mobile Phones

AO Gathers Information WEA-Enabled Mobile Phones about Event Within Geo-Targeted Alert AO Composes Area Receive Alert Alert Message

FEMA IPAWS 8 Process for an Alerting Authority to Send a Wireless Emergency Alert Sending a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) saves lives and protects property. By participating in the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) training, learning best practices and mastering vendor software, Alerting Authorities (AA) can quickly alert and warn their communities.

AO Validates Message and Responsibility Key Alerting Authority (AA) Develops Sends Alert to IPAWS-OPEN ResponsibilityAlerting Authority Key and Originator Alert Message Templates, Internal Alerting Plan, and SOP Advance Preparation

AO Checks Vendor Software for AA Participates in Monthly Confirmation Alert was Proficiency Demonstrations AO Reviews Message Against Successfully Processed Alert Standardizations Checklist Alert Processed AA Increases Alerting Proficiency Incorrectly. AO References Internal AO Composes a 90- and a Alerting Plan for 360-Character Common Instruction AA Meets Monthly Proficiency Demo Threshold Alerting Protocol (CAP) Compliant Message Save Lives and Describing the Event AO Confirms Protect Property Alert Success AA Misses 3 Consecutive Months of Proficiency Demos AO Accesses and Loses IPAWS Access Vendor Software AA Determines if an Update or Cancellation AO Reviews Internal Message is Required AA Determines if Alerting Plan WEA is Needed

AA Notifies Alert AA Monitors Alert and AA Determines if Additional AA is Informed of Originator (AO) that Public Response Alerts are Needed Emergency Event No WEA WEA is Needed Needed

FEMA IPAWS 9 Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) IPAWS

Processes in the Emergency Alert System (EAS)

FEMA IPAWS 10 Emergency Alert System (EAS) Alert Process Map The Emergency Alert System (EAS) quickly delivers warnings to the Public through Radio and TV. When sending an alert via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), EAS may be selected as a stand-alone distribution pathway or in combination with other IPAWS distribution pathways. Responsibility Key Alerting Authority and Originator Event Takes Place or DHS - FEMA is Imminent EAS Participants

Public

State, Territorial, Tribal*, Local or Federal Alerting Authority (AA) EAS Participants (Radio and TV Determines an Alert is Needed Broadcast and Cable Operators) Receive Authenticated CAP Alert Save Lives and Protect Property Alerting Originator (AO) Selects Appropriate Event Code and EAS Participants Check Composes EAS Compliant Message Alert Event Code Against Pre-Approved Event Codes IPAWS Delivers Authenticated Alert to Industry Alert Disseminators EAS Participants Interrupt AO Reviews Message Against Alert Standardizations Programming to Present Alert to Public Checklist Alert Source and Message Public Follows are Authenticated Guidance

AO Sends Message to IPAWS-OPEN Message is Delivered Public Receives Alert on to IPAWS-OPEN Radio and TV

*Federally-recognized tribal nations are not subject to state alerting review or approval, however, IPAWS PMO encourages coordination between tribal, state and local jurisdictions.

FEMA IPAWS 11 Alert Standardizations Checklists The below serve as general checklists for Alert Originators to review and confirm that their Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) align with the national and international standard used by the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send public alerts and warnings. Further instruction on composing WEA and EAS alerts can be found in the IPAWS Alert and Warning Message Guide. EAS WEA  Determine the appropriate event code  Determine the appropriate event code  Compose an English message that:  If supported, select the geo-targeted boundaries  Includes the source of the message  Compose a 90- and 360-character English message that:  Describes the threat or event  Includes the source of the message  States the location affected  Describes the threat or event  Advises protective action for public to take, when  States the location affected they should take this action, how to accomplish said action, and how the action will reduce impact(s)  Advises protective action for the public to take, when they should take this action, how to  Includes when to expect the threat to end and/or accomplish said action, and how the action will new information will be received reduce impact(s)  Does not exceed the 1,800-character limit  Includes when to expect the threat to end and/or  If desired, create the same message in Spanish new information will be received  If appropriate and compatible with software, include a  If desired, create the same message in Spanish mp3 audio attachment (2 minutes max.) and/or URL  If appropriate, include a phone number and/or URL  Review the composed alert  Review the composed alert  Send the composed alert to IPAWS-OPEN  Send the composed alert to IPAWS-OPEN  Continue to monitor event and determine if additional  Continue to monitor event and determine if additional message updates or cancellations are required message updates or cancellations are required  Save lives and protect property  Save lives and protect property

FEMA IPAWS 12 Associated Resources

 Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Homepage  IPAWS Program Planning Toolkit  Emergency Alert System (EAS)  Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)  Alerting Authorities  IPAWS Adoption Checklist for Alerting Authorities  Alert Origination Software Providers  IPAWS Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Application  IPAWS Online Training  Practice and Train with the IPAWS Lab  Emergency Alert System (EAS) Participants and (CAP)  Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN)  National Public Warning System (NPWS)  IPAWS Message Viewer

FEMA IPAWS 13