Updates

FEMA to Highlight Next Generation of Alert Warning System at National Association of Broadcasters Conference

Release Number: HQ-10-065

LAS VEGAS – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives will highlight progress on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for attendees at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters Show.  IPAWS is being developed as the nation's next-generation alert and warning network.  The network expands on the Emergency Alert System (EAS) by adding new technologies to traditional audio-only radio and television alerts, including cell phone, residential phone, Internet and the capability to broadcast one message over more media to more people before, during and after a disaster.

"IPAWS will provide timely alerts and warnings to the American people," said FEMA Assistant Administrator of the National Continuity Programs (NCP) Damon Penn.  "Working with our broadcasting partners, the system will allow federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local officials to reach people directly during those critical times when just a few minutes may save lives."

IPAWS is being designed to provide and maintain an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible and comprehensive system that enables the American people to receive alert and warning information through as many means as possible.  IPAWS will allow emergency managers to share lifesaving information to their communities using multiple communications technologies.

FEMA will have a booth with information on IPAWS and demonstrating Common Alert Protocol (CAP) alert message origination to an IPAWS Aggregator for distribution to CAP compliant and legacy message broadcast products at the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 12-15.  For more information on the event, visit www.nabshow.com.

For more information on IPAWS, visit www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws.

Stay informed of FEMA's activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femainfocus and on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/fema.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.