The IPAWS Users Conference - 2023
FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is excited to announce the 3rd annual IPAWS Users Conference.
Date: September 27, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:05 pm
Location: Virtual
Event Details
FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) invites you to the next IPAWS Users Conference, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Update your knowledge as an Alerting Administrator or Alert Originator, to help you create effective alerts and become a confident IPAWS user.
Event Topics
- Learn about the new Alerting on Behalf and Alert Escalation Process.
- Prepare for the coming National Periodic Test (WEA & EAS).
- See how the Message Design Dashboard helps you compose better alerts.
- Learn to use the IPAWS User Portal - your online IPAWS data record.
- Find out about future certifications of Alerting Authorities and Alerting Software Vendors.
Who Should Attend
The Users Conference is for Alerting Authorities using IPAWS in their jurisdictions. Alerting Administrators, Alert Originators, Public Safety Officers, Public Information Officers, Vendors and Developers all will benefit from updating and refreshing their knowledge.
Attendance is Free.
Event Agenda
| Timing | Session | Speaker(s) |
| 10:00 - 10:05 a.m. | Welcome | Michael George, Assistant Administrator of the Office of National Continuity Programs |
| 10:05 - 10:15 a.m. | Mission of IPAWS | Antwane Johnson, Director of IPAWS |
| 10:15 - 10:35 a.m. | 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 (AEP) to utilize during times of need. Implementation of this process will increase the efficiency and timeliness of alert dissemination to the public. The AEP describes how the IPAWS Technical Support Services staff will Alert on Behalf (AOB) when Alerting Authorities are unable to issue an alert. | Antwane Johnson, Director of IPAWS |
| 10:35 – 11 a.m. | IPAWS Program Status Preview of a new certification process for Alerting Authorities and Alert Origination Software providers. | Wade Witmer, Deputy Director |
| 11 - 11:10 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:10 - 11:40 a.m. | IPAWS National Test Spotlight on the October 4 IPAWS National Test of Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System. | Ward Hagood, Engineering Manager for Testing and Evaluation at IPAWS |
| 11:40 - 11:55 a.m. | A Tribe’s Perspective on Alerting Best Practices Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation will discuss success stories using Wireless Emergency Alerts and successful recoveries working with Tribal law enforcement. | Emily Sitting Bear, Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation |
| 11:55 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. | 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. Join Dr. Jeannette Sutton, Associate Professor and Director of the Emergency Risk Communications Message Testing Lab at the State University of New York at Albany, to learn about the Message Design Dashboard. Dr. Sutton will explore how the dashboard will help emergency managers quickly write effective messages for public alerts and warnings. | Dr. Jeannette Sutton, Associate Professor, University of New York at Albany |
| 12:20 - 12:35 p.m. | Break | |
| 12:35 - 12:50 p.m. | IPAWS User Portal The IPAWS User Portal is the central hub for managing your Alerting Authority’s profile. Join Kevin Williams, IT Specialist with Customer Support, for a walkthrough of the IPAWS User Portal features and learn how to take advantage of its capabilities. | Kevin Williams, IT Specialist |
| 12:50 - 1:20 p.m. | TSSF Services and Capabilities The IPAWS Technical Support Staff discusses the latest projects to support Alerting Authorities, including the WEA Demo Application – now available for download – and the recently released IPAWS Best Practices Guide. | Al Kenyon, Branch Chief for IPAWS Customer Support Regina Hawkins, IPAWS Technical Support Services |
| 1:20 - 1:40 p.m. | Monthly Proficiency Demonstration (MPD) with TSSF Scenario Join this discussion of MPD status and how it is enforced. It will also include a scenario demonstrating MPD for Alerting Authorities. | Al Kenyon, Branch Chief for IPAWS Customer Support Jen Meyers, IPAWS Technical Support Services |
| 1:40 – 2:00 p.m. | IPAWS Alerting Tools Portal Explore the IPAWS Alerting Tools Portal and preview what is included. | Mark Lucero, Branch Chief for Engineering |
| 2:00 - 2:05 p.m. | Closing Remarks | Antwane Johnson, Director of IPAWS |
Event Contact