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.

2023 IPAWS Users Conference

IPAWS welcomed Alerting Administrators, Alert Originators, Public Safety Officers, Public Information Officers, Vendors and Developers, to update and refresh their knowledge. The mission: To help you create effective alerts and become a confident IPAWS user. 

Highlights included:
• Learning about the new Alerting on Behalf and Alert Escalation Process.
• Preparing for the National Periodic Test (WEA & EAS).
• Seeing how the Message Design Dashboard helps compose better alerts.
• Learning to use the IPAWS User Portal - the online IPAWS data record.
• Finding out about future certifications of Alerting Authorities and Alerting Software Vendors.

View Presentations and Videos

Below you will find content presented at the 2022 and 2021 Users conferences.

The 2023 IPAWS Users Conference - The Alert on Behalf (AOB) Process

Sometimes during an emergency, Alerting Authorities may not be able to issue alerts due to various technical issues. To address this, IPAWS is encouraging Alerting Authorities to implement an alert escalation process to utilize during times of need. Antwane Johnson, IPAWS Director, discussed the implementation of this process and how it will increase the efficiency and timeliness of alert dissemination to the public. The escalation process describes how the IPAWS Technical Support Services staff will Alert on Behalf (AOB) when Alerting Authorities are unable to issue an alert.

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Watch the recording: The Alert on Behalf (AOB) Process

Watch the presentation: The Alert on Behalf (AOB) Process

The 2023 IPAWS Users Conference - IPAWS Program Status

Wade Witmer, IPAWS Deputy Director, informed users about the new certification process for Alerting Authorities and Alert Origination Software providers.

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Watch the recording: IPAWS Program Status

Watch the presentation: IPAWS Program Status

The 2023 IPAWS Users Conference - IPAWS National Test

Ward Hagood, Engineering Manager for Testing and Evaluation at IPAWS, presented information around the Oct. 4, 2023, IPAWS National Test of Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System. Ward shared what Alerting Authorities could expect during the National Test.

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Watch the recording: IPAWS National Test

Watch the presentation: IPAWS National Test

The 2023 IPAWS Users Conference - A Decade of Wireless Emergency Alerts

There has been more than 10 years of research done around Wireless Emergency Alerts. Dr. Michele Olson, Program Manager and Senior Research Scientist, shares how this research influences the design and training of the Message Design Dashboard.

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The 2023 IPAWS Users Conference - Message Design Dashboard (MDD)

The ability to craft effective messages, that is, those that are complete, clear, certain, and consistent, with the power to motivate action, remains a challenge for many risk communicators. Dr. Jeannette Sutton, Associate Professor and Director of the Emergency Risk Communications Message Testing Lab at the State University of New York at Albany, presented the Message Design Dashboard. Dr. Sutton explored how the dashboard will help emergency managers quickly write effective messages for public alerts and warnings.

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Watch the recording: Message Design Dashboard (MDD)

Watch the presentation: Message Design Dashboard (MDD)

The 2023 IPAWS Users Conference - IPAWS User Portal

The IPAWS User Portal is the central hub for managing your Alerting Authority’s profile.  Kevin Williams, IT Specialist with Customer Support, walks through the IPAWS User Portal features and informs users how to take advantage of its capabilities.

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Watch the recording here: IPAWS User Portal

Watch the presentation here: IPAWS User Portal

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