The Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications (AWN) Program Planning Toolkit is designed to aid Alerting Authorities and Alert Originators at federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) levels in the development of mature alerting programs using customized resources, best practices, and program templates.
The Toolkit contains a step-by-step Alerting Program Plan application that will walk the user through creating a customized plan tailored to their agency’s operational capabilities. Supporting resources are also provided to ensure they have a holistic approach to their Alerting Program.
The Planning Toolkit was developed as a free resource by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS).
Once completed, the Alerting Program Plan will be generated as a Word document that can be saved, customized and shared within the user’s organization.
Get Started
Use the form to create your customized Alerting Program Plan or click to download a blank template.
Toolkit Version: 1.0
Signing up for IPAWS is easy. Follow the step-by-step instructions using the link above or download the IPAWS Process Playbook.
Find an Alerting Vendor
Private sector IPAWS technology vendors and developers include Alert Origination Software Providers, who furnish the software interface that alerting authorities use to generate Common Alerting Protocol messages. The software then delivers those messages to the IPAWS Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN) for dissemination to the public via Wireless Emergency Alerts, the Emergency Alert System and other communications pathways.
View a list of Alert Origination Software Providers that have successfully demonstrated their IPAWS capabilities.
IPAWS also engages vendors and developers of Internet Services, Unique Systems and Future Systems.
Train the Trainer Program Guide
The Train the Trainer Program Guide provides state, local, tribal and territorial Alerting Administrators with recommendations and best practices that can be used when developing an internal training program for Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications (AWN). The Guide focuses on components of a successful Train the Trainer Program, including AWN System Information, Alerting System Standard Operating Procedures, Testing and Exercise Guidelines, and Training Guidelines.
The Guide is not intended to be a solution for all public safety officials, but to supplement existing training efforts. It can provide additional considerations in creating or modifying a robust IPAWS training program for those responsible for implementing and using the system.