The IPAWS Users Conference Presentations and Videos

FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) hosted a virtual conference aimed at providing Alerting Authorities with the tools and skills needed to create effective alerts and become confident IPAWS users. Below you will find content presented at the conference.

2024 IPAWS Users Conference

IPAWS hosted more than 1,000 attendees during the fourth annual Users Conference on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. This conference provided a virtual venue to align alerting administrators, alert originators, public safety officers, public information officers, vendors and developers on current IPAWS initiatives, share available resources to strengthen alerting proficiency, and highlight future goals to create a robust alert and warning system. The forum was a great opportunity for IPAWS users and industry leaders to interact and propel their knowledge of the latest trends in emergency alerting.

Highlights included:

  • Learning about the new Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) event code
  • Seeing how the Message Design Dashboard (MDD) helps compose better alert templates
  • Better understanding the Alert on Behalf (AOB) process
  • Diving deeper into the new features available on the IPAWS User Portal
  • Hearing about future certifications and training opportunities for Alerting Authorities and Alerting Software Vendors
  • Learning from IPAWS leadership about the IPAWS Training Series and upcoming stops
  • Discussing the importance of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the National Public Warning System (NPWS) 

View Presentations and Videos

Below you will find content presented at the 2024 Users conferences.

The 2024 IPAWS Users Conference: Introduction and Fireside Chat

Director Manny Centeno and Deputy Director Wade Witmer informally addressed IPAWS questions covering the program’s past, present, and future. They discussed the important challenges, strategic initiatives, and desired end goals for IPAWS over the years and moving forward.  

The 2024 IPAWS Users Conference: Technical Support Services Facility Trainings and Demos

Hector Huyke-Villeneuve, Emergency Management Training and Exercise Specialist, highlighted the capabilities and resources that the TSSF provides attendees, including training opportunities, live demonstrations, tests and other useful tools. The TSSF is a 24/7 technical support center for alerting authorities to contact for questions, assistance or bolstering its capabilities.  

The 2024 IPAWS Users Conference: IPAWS Training Certification Program and Course Refresh

Alfred Kenyon, IPAWS Customer Support Branch Chief, presented new improvements made to the IS-247 and IS-251 courses for alerting administrators and alert originators. He covered specific alterations that were made and how it has positively affected alerting authority and Alert Originator knowledge and preparedness.  Two alerting authorities – Kenneth Cochran, Emergency Management Specialist with the Houston Office of Emergency Management, and David Meyer, Program Manager, California Alert and Warning Program with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services – shared their experience with the new course and how important this training has been to their operations and daily functions. 

The 2024 IPAWS Users Conference: IPAWS Software Certification Program

Ward Hagood, IPAWS Engineering Branch Chief, discussed the purpose and goals behind the Software Certification Program including the approach to determining certification requirements and the testing to ensure compliance with security, reliability, and performance standards. Ward touched upon the IPAWS working group and how their feedback has led to program improvement as well. 

The 2024 IPAWS Users Conference: Missing and Endangered Persons Event Code

Jian Mei Wu, IPAWS System Engineer, and Eddie Bertola, Advisor, presented an overview of the new Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) event code. They explained the impact that the code will have on IPAWS, alerting authorities, alert originators, and missing and endangered persons. They also touched upon how the code will aid in safe search and recovery of indigenous people.   

The 2024 Users Conference: IPAWS Training Series

Director Manny Centeno and Elton Ushio, Kauai Emergency Management Agency Administrator, presented and discussed an overview of what the IPAWS Training Series entails and how the increased engagement has had a positive impact on the state of Hawaii. This included detailed information about the training’s content, targeted audience, and positive results and after-actions. 

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