"I did not want a warning." #WRN #skywarn

In the USA, for someone to say they did not get a warning is essentially to say "I did not want a warning."

Emergency Managers, for years, have encouraged the Citizen to be more  active in getting their warning information.  The days of the siren to wake us up in the middle of the night is over.  As one emergency manager pointed out:
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When I was MUCH younger, the windows were open in the spring, the black-and-white TV was not on all the time, folks did not listen to MP3 players with headphones, and sirens could be heard inside the house.

With the cell phone tied to every waistband, some jurisdictions are turning to products such as Everbridge, Nixle, BlackboardConnect, MyStateUSA, Code Red, and EmergencyE to encourage the public to get their warnings.  The National Weather Service offers this  “LISTING OF ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF WEATHER ALERTS”.

Popular smartphone operating systems such as the Android and Iphone offer applications such as Storm and WeatherBug that automatically alert when the resident is in a warning area as well as for areas where the Citizen has an interest.

The Weather Service has offered Interactive NWS for a few years now.  This service sends email and text messages to subscribers (who are members of the emergency management community).  This supplements the Weather Radio network that has been in place for a number of years.

Of course, amateur radio plays a big part in keeping the resident aware as do local media partners.  Even newspapers are joining the electronic media to give their own Twitter and Facebook information. 

You may get automated information from your Federal partners with the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and the Wireless Emergency Alert system.

Indeed, today, there's no need to go without a warning.  However, you must WANT to get one.

The March Commercial Mobile Alert Service discussion will be augmented by webinar.  The purpose of the March webinar is to provide a brief overview of the Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS) Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) coordination activities currently underway with stakeholders nationwide.  Our discussion will also include highlights from our recent CMAS Forum in Las Vegas.   Time will be available for you to ask questions and share comments. 

For CMAS to be effective, what research and development do we need to conduct? We are hosting an online discussion for emergency managers and public safety practitioners to inform and validate the CMAS research and development agenda. We want your input on the priority research areas in the fields of geo-targeting of CMAS alerts and understanding public response to CMAS messages. Your input will help us set the R&D agenda for CMAS, which will drive research funding and answer critical questions for CMAS originators. Log on now and help shape the CMAS research agenda CMASforum.ideascale.com

CMAS background information is located at:

·         https://communities.firstresponder.gov

·         http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/cmas.shtm

Webinar Date:  Thursday, March 22, 2012

Time:  2:30 PM, Eastern Standard Time

Meeting Password:  cmasforum

Please click the link below to join the meeting.

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1. Go to https://srameeting.webex.com/srameeting/j.php?ED=176160102&UID=1243977717&PW=NZDExYTdjYWVj&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D

2. Enter your name and email address.

3. Enter the meeting password: cmasforum

4. Click "Join Now".

5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

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To join the teleconference only

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·         Dial:  866.801.9049

·         Code:  202.449.7187

For assistance, please contact:

·         CMAS_Forum@sra.com

·         1-202-449-7114

To update this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link:

https://srameeting.webex.com/srameeting/j.php?ED=176160102&UID=1243977717&ICS=UMI&LD=1&RD=2&ST=1&SHA2=wjqXK-YBdkXkBOMzgp0rGQSZ8z8mookajf9YqYilVeg=&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D

Please don’t hesitate to contact CMAS_Forum@sra.com should you have any questions. 

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, I would like to invite you to help shape the research and development agenda for the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS).

As you may know, the rollout of CMAS will begin in April of this year. Once it is rolled out, CMAS will allow alerting authorities at different levels of government to send text-like alerts to the public via wireless devices based on geographic location. As CMAS becomes operational across the country, the research and development of this system will be important in ensuring CMAS is as effective as possible and continues to evolve to meet the needs of practitioners like you. From today until March 16^th, the CMAS Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program is hosting an online discussion to bring practitioner input into the CMAS research and development agenda, specifically in the fields of geo-targeting of CMAS alerts and understanding public response to CMAS messages. (More information about CMAS is at the bottom of this email.)

The discussion will be online 24/7 for your input. Your participation will help us craft a research agenda around these questions:

·         For CMAS to be effective, what do we need to know about how the public responds to mobile alerts?
·         What are the key questions that should guide CMAS research and development in geo-targeting of mobile alerts?

On this online forum, you can rate existing focus areas developed by the CMAS RDT&E Program, refine ideas in open discussion with other practitioners, and submit your own ideas for research questions that should be explored.

Log on now and help shape the CMAS research agenda

CMASforum.ideascale.com

Building a research agenda that is in line with the needs of the public safety community requires the input of practitioners like you. So please log on and help inform the research objectives of CMAS, and feel free to forward this to those in your network whose perspectives should be heard. If you have any questions, please contact CMAS_Forum@sra.com.

Regards,

Denis Gusty
Program Manager
Office of Interoperability & Compatibility
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Science and Technology Directorate

CMAS Background
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) envisions a future where all Americans are able to receive accurate alerts and warnings, regardless of communications technology used.  This vision is being achieved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).  IPAWS is a modernization and integration of the Nation's alert and warning infrastructure.  It integrates new and existing public alert and warning systems and technologies.  In partnership with DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), IPAWS is working to incorporate wireless mobile alerts through the Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS).  This inclusion is an acknowledgement of the important role that wireless technologies play in Americans' lives today.  Given the wide use of wireless mobile devices, CMAS will help ensure more people receive actionable alerts to help avoid danger or respond more quickly during crisis—thereby saving lives and property. 

CMAS—developed and tested by FEMA and S&T—is one of the major components of IPAWS.  The CMAS component will provide an interface to participating cellular mobile service providers for delivery of critical alert information to cellular phones in a danger zone.  Specifically, the CMAS capability will provide local, tribal, state, territorial, and Federal government officials the ability to send 90-character, geographically-targeted text alerts to the public.

For more background on CMAS, visit the CMAS RDT&E Online Forum.

The Science and Technology Directorate within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is hosting a Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS) Forum on February 21, in Las Vegas. This CMAS Forum provides stakeholders nationwide with a unique opportunity to discuss CMAS research, development, and testing in advance of CMAS deployment in April.

The CMAS Forum is designed to address current and future-state initiatives to advance CMAS
capabilities nationwide. Information gathered will guide efforts for future CMAS planning, including standards development and emerging technologies. The CMAS Forum will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S226, in conjunction with the International Wireless Communications Expo,
from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST.

The discussions and partnerships developed at the CMAS Forum will outline specific actions needed for
preparing communities for CMAS and will advance alerts and warnings capabilities nationwide, enhance
vital partnerships, and lay the groundwork for future success.

REGISTRATION AND HOTEL

Participants can register to attend the CMAS Forum by completing the attached registration form
and sending it to CMAS_Forum@sra.com. By registering via the attached form, participants will
automatically be registered for IWCE’s exhibit hall at no charge. Participants who wish to attend the full
IWCE conference should mention the CMAS Forum and code H28 when registering for IWCE to receive
25% off IWCE conference prices.

IWCE has arranged for reduced hotel rates, which are available on a first-come first-served basis. To
learn more about hotel and travel options when planning your attendance at the CMAS Forum, please
visit IWCE for information about rates and procedures for reserving a hotel room.

Much work went into the Emergency Alert System test to make a reality
the first national test held November 9.

Between broadcasters and the government, this was one of the best
examples of public/private partnership.

On November 29, twenty days later, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency held a conference call attended by over 900 participants
nationwide. These notes are part of that call.

Calling it a learning experience for all, participants heard an
explanation of the cause of varying performance during the test.

For the most part, broadcasters received the message and rebroadcast it.
Technical difficulties were discussed as a reason the test did not
work but broadcasters were quick to report the test was over 70%
successful.

Hardware failures were the primary reason given for the
"failure" of the test. Those issues can be expected regardless of who
does the test. What worked Monday, may fail Tuesday.
Speaking of the next test, it was noted that the next test will reveal
a new set of problems.

One can read more about the Conference Call.

Did you hear the EAS Test? Are you happy that broadcasters and the
government is working together to "fix things"?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The national test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 9 a.m. (HAST) will last 30 seconds.

The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.  NOAA's National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. 

Similar to local EAS tests that are already conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally.

"A national test of our Emergency Alert System, with the vital communications support and involvement of participants, is a step towards ensuring that the alert and warning community is prepared to deliver critical information that can help save lives and protect property," said Damon Penn, FEMA's Assistant Administrator of National Continuity Programs. "Because there has never been an activation of the Emergency Alert System on a national level, FEMA views this test as an excellent opportunity to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system.  It is important to remember that this is not a pass or fail test, but a chance to establish a baseline for making incremental improvements to the Emergency Alert System with ongoing and future testing.  It is also important to remember that the Emergency Alert System is one of many tools in our communications toolbox, and we will continue to work on additional channels that can be a lifeline of information for people during an emergency."

"The upcoming national test is critical to ensuring that the EAS works as designed," said Jamie Barnett, Chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.  "As recent disasters here at home and in Japan have reminded us, a reliable and effective emergency alert and warning system is key to ensuring the public's safety during times of emergency.  We look forward to working with FEMA in preparation for this important test."

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, Emergency Alert System participants and other stakeholders have been working toward making this test a reality. 

As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.  Anyone can visitwww.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

For more information on this test visit: http://www.fema.gov/eastest/

On October 18, 2006, April Green, one of the characters in the TV series Jericho said "Our world has changed".


The viewing public was exposed, during that episode called "The Federal Response" to what would have the IPAWS look and feel.

During the show, every phone in the community of 5000 in western Kansas came to life with a message from the Under Secretary of Homeland Security.

The internet started working again.

The Emergency Alert System came on otherwise dark television sets.

It's unclear how the writers of Jericho came up with this idea but the inclusion in the show is forward-thinking.

The fans of the show were given some insight what the future might hold, should that disaster befall America.

http://blogs.woodtv.com/2009/02/11/tornadoes-in-oklahoma/ is a work about the Lone Grove, OK tornado of February, 2009.

One of the quotes in the comments involved a trucker's wife. Seems she is happy her husband is out of the State.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090211/ap_on_re_us/severe_weather reports a ... "trucker driving through town was also killed when winds slammed into his rig".

That produces thought that truckers need the same warning the rest of us get. How do they get warnings?

http://truckerweatherwatch.org/ is the Trucker's Weather Watch. It's a site founded "by Sean Kiaer of Everett, Wa. on October 12 2006 to integrate the Trucking industry in to the National Weather Service's Severe Weather Reporting Network, known as SKYWARN™.

Folks who go to Skywarn training regularly hear "never try to outrun a tornado".

As one puzzles over how to get information into the trucks of the trucking industry, remember, in Oklahoma, at truck stops, the National Weather Service NOAA weather radio is played in the background in the rest rooms. Rather than MUZAK, the weather radio provides potentially lifesaving information.

Some, though not all, use Citizen Band radios with weather radios incorporated in them. Some relay on the goodness of dispatchers, friends, and truck stops to keep them informed of weather.

Of course, others are amateur radio operators. Those that travel the highways frequently, along the same route, have the active repeaters programmed into their radios.

Some use their cell phones, if they have a relative or friend in some sort of emergency management or weather service.

Some, it is feared, have nothing.

This is one of the reasons why Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is so important. Can a system be developed to get the life-saving message into the hands of those that need it, before they need it?