The IPAWS Users Conference - 2022
The next IPAWS Users Conference on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, will introduce public safety officials not yet using IPAWS to this powerful tool for saving lives and protecting property.
Date: July 27, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Event Details
The IPAWS Users Conference will introduce public safety officials not yet using IPAWS to this powerful tool for saving lives and protecting property.
The virtual conference will present the basics of IPAWS and the technical support available. Discover how to leverage grants and funding for training, exercising, planning, and alerting tools. Witness a live test of WEA, gain best practices from a current Alerting Authority, and insights on effective messaging from a social scientist. Learn the four easy steps to get on-board as a new IPAWS Alerting Authority.
Who Should Attend
Public safety officials interested in leveraging IPAWS capabilities in their jurisdictions. Current Alerting Authorities will also benefit from refreshing their knowledge.
Event Agenda
| Session | Speaker | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome | Michael George, Assistant Administrator, National Continuity Programs | |
| Mission of IPAWS | Antwane Johnson, Director, IPAWS | |
| Overview of IPAWS | Wade Witmer, Deputy Director, IPAWS | |
| IPAWS Basics/TSSF Capabilities | Jody Smith, Project Manager, IPAWS Technical Support Services |
Sending emergency information to the public can be stressful. We’re here to help! Join Jody Smith, IPAWS Technical Support Services Facility (TSSF) Lead, to get tips on how to effectively send an IPAWS alert. The TSSF provides a closed/safe environment for Alerting Authorities to improve alerting proficiency, assess operating procedures, train employees, and exercise processes. |
| Alerting Authority Peer Experience / Live WEA test from IPAWS Alerting Authority | Simone Ramel McKay – Program Specialist, Spokane County (Washington) Emergency Management Rob Barreras – Emergency Management Coordinator, County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management Rob Dale – Deputy Emergency Manager, Ingham County (Michigan) Emergency Management and Homeland Security |
Learn from your emergency management peers as they discuss their actual IPAWS uses, experiences, advice, best practices and demonstrate a live WEA Test. |
| What Research Tells Us About Human Behavior and Warning Response | Dr. Jeannette Sutton, Associate Professor and Director of the Emergency and Risk Communication Message Testing Lab in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany, State University of New York | Best practice for writing short warning messages for the public to achieve a desired behavioral response. |
| Demonstration: IPAWS Program Planning Toolkit | Sophie Bennett, Consultant, Corner Alliance, DHS Science & Technology | Have multiple systems for sending emergency alerts? Need help writing a plan for everything? The IPAWS Program Planning Toolkit helps Alerting Authorities create comprehensive alert plans from start to finish. Join to see a demonstration of this new Toolkit. |
| Grants | Lisa Nine, Preparedness Officer, FEMA National Programs Branch, and Alexander Mrazik Jr., Branch Chief, FEMA Homeland Security Grants Program | Learn about the funding opportunities that may be available to you for alert and warning equipment, software, training, and exercises. |
| Onboarding with IPAWS | Al Kenyon, Customer Support Branch Chief, IPAWS | Do you know the first steps to get connected to IPAWS? Join Al Kenyon, as he presents everything needed to begin using IPAWS. |
| Closing Remarks | Antwane Johnson and Wade Witmer, Director and Deputy Director, IPAWS |
Event Contact
If you require a reasonable accommodation for disability in order to participate in this event, please contact Justin Singer as soon as possible. Requests submitted less than 5 business days in advance of the event will be processed, but availability is not guaranteed.