Integrated public alert and warning system (ipaws

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)Fred Molesworth

Communications Officer

Oregon Office of Emergency Management

IPAWS

• What is Ipaws?• How will it be implemented in Oregon?• How do you use it?• What’s the implementation Schedule?

What is IPAWS?

IPAWS Alerts

• Alerts for Imminent threat to life or property, Amber Alerts, Presidential messages

• Alerts are sent by FIPS codes and can be issued to and for:• Individual counties• Multiple counties• Statewide

• Future versions may allow polygons, but current warnings are at the county level.

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Usage Statistics• 90% of Americans are wireless users• 92% of Americans with disabilities are wireless users• 68% of adults between 66 and 74 are wireless users• 48% of adults over 75 are wireless users.• A rapidly growing percentage of users now use smart

phones

Wireless Emergency Alerts

What is WEA?• IPAWS alert tool using smart phones• Automatic – all newer smart phones will receive the

alerts if they’re in the area• All wireless providers in Oregon support WEA• NOT an opt-in program, but users CAN opt out.• No cost to issuer or to recipients

Wireless Emergency Alerts

What does it do?• Automatically alerts all newer smart phones within a

selected geographic area, residents and visitors alike• Will work even when cell phone networks are jammed

using a special administrative channel between tower and phone

• Will NOT awaken a powered off phone, or interrupt a call

Wireless Emergency Alerts

What is a WEA Message?• 90 Character “text-like message”, but it’s not a standard text

message• A unique tone and vibration to alert user to incoming message• An “ATTENTION GETTER” to get users to take further

action: Brief situation message plus instructions:• Take Shelter Now, • Evacuate Now• Make Preparations• Execute instructions• Monitor TV or Radio

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Types of WEA Alerts• Three types of alerts permitted:• Presidential Alerts• Imminent threat to life and property• Amber Alerts

• Users CAN opt out of all but Presidential Alerts• Guard against overuse – “cry wolf syndrome”• Severity, Urgency, Certainty criteria

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts

• WEA has been used twice in Oregon for Amber Alerts• IPAWS message issued by NCMEC• Generally, very well accepted, in spite of some glitches• Over 500 comments on KGW TV Facebook article

Trisha Tagle-Patterson I got it twice and I believe it's a great feature. I think it's a great opportunity to let everybody get informed. And if it helps save a child in danger, I'll set aside my personal issue of being selfish! I wouldn't mind receiving it 100 times in a day if it means that I'll be able to memorize the plate number of the suspected car!

Brian J. Paulsen My biggest fear is the "cry wolf" effect. I got five messages, four listed as updates, and they were all identical. If there had been new information in a sixth message, I doubt anyone would have paid attention. Also, with what verges, by some peoples' attitudes, as spam, I wonder how many AMBER alert features were disabled overnight.

Danielle Darce Perkins How can those of you complaining about this function in society without someone wanting to beat your ass on a daily basis? Are you people for real? A childs life is in danger and your complaining because your cell phone buzzes? Think of her poor father.

Wireless Emergency Alerts

• WEA is activated for alerts and any updates• Great care must be taken to avoid the “cry wolf” effect• ADMIN message can be used to send info to media

without activating phones.• Local issuance will give us more control

Emergency Alert System

• The next generation in EAS capabilities• Complements, but does not replace existing analog EAS• Redundant digital and analog EAS systems• All broadcast and cable outlets required to monitor

IPAWS EAS feed for alerts.• Every broadcast outlet will receive the warnings directly

from IPAWS, and activate EAS based on FIPS codes• Duplicate alerts are avoided by the software• Broadcast quality audio files

Internet Services

• Internet web feeds can monitor IPAWS Public Alerts• Monitoring applications may become available

Internet Services

Other Potential Warning tools

• Since IPAWS uses a industry standard digital format for warnings, other devices capable or reading a digital message represent added capability.• Warning Sirens• Freeway Signs (VMS)

• Vendors are developing devices and capabilities that can monitor IPAWS and alert through various other technologies, particularly for hearing and vision impaired

Ipaws Alerts

IPAWS Alerts

IPAWS in Oregon

• OEM implementing at OERS on a statewide basis• Hardware implementation using Digital Alert Systems

DASDAC EOC• Redundant systems – one at OEM, one at OPB• Fully functional by end of 2013• Available to all jurisdictions at no cost

IPAWS in Oregon

• Message templates being created for most effective messaging to public

• Custom messages may also be sent• Warnings may include links to supporting files such as

audio, video, photographs that can be accessed by media

IPAWS in Oregon

• Issuing an Imminent Danger Alert• Contact OERS with request• OERS contacts OEM Duty Officer• Duty Officer confirms request, authorizes issuance• OERS initiates alert using templates, sends to IPAWS Server• OERS records audio file for EAS system• IPAWS system validates alert authority, checks criteria, forwards

alert• IPAWS sends WEA alert to carriers, issues EAS message• Broadcast stations activated by EAS message• Broadcast picks up added info from server

IPAWS in Oregon

Issuing an Amber Alert• Police agency requests OSP issue Amber Alert• OSP validates against criteria, authorizes alert• OERS enters alert using templates, sends to IPAWS• OERS records audio message, using templates• IPAWS sends WEA message, issues EAS message• Broadcast stations pick up and broadcast EAS alert• News organizations use added files from server for more

information.

IPAWS in Oregon

October• Complete warning templates• OEM - Develop procedures and plans for Immediate Danger • OSP update procedures and plans for Amber Alerts

• November• Extensively test system, using FEMA test bed• Update procedures as needed• Train OERS staff• Emergency Manager material

December• OERS testing• Public Information campaign• Rollout system

• Digital technology means more ways to warn the public with more information available

• No cost for local jurisdictions to use, no cost to the public• Up and in operation about the end of 2013.

IPAWS in Oregon

• Questions and feedback