Update on IPAWS and Next Generation EAS
Panel discussion with David Layer, Senior Director, Advanced Engineering, National Association of Broadcasters and Bill Rossini, CSRE, Director of Engineering, Clear Channel Toledo and State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) Chairman
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is developing the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) which will expand upon the existing Emergency Alert System (EAS) by providing one message over more media to more people before, during, and after a disaster. This project will be impacting broadcasters in a number of ways including what kind of equipment a broadcaster needs at the station and where (and from whom) mandatory alerts are originated.
In this session, a variety of topics will be covered including an update on IPAWS development, a discussion of local alert origination and "HazCollect," the emergency message collection system of the National Weather Service (NWS), and possible changes to the Ohio EAS State Plan. Time permitting, additional topics to be covered include an update on available EAS equipment, and discussion of timely EAS operational topics such as whether stations can (or should) originate EAS alerts and the recent fine of San Clemente, California station KWVE for an inadvertent error in their monthly EAS test.
