FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)

Executive Order 13407 from June 2006 gives FEMA the responsibility to establish an effective, reliable, integrated, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people through as many communication pathways as practicable. Among other things, the order gives FEMA responsibility to administer the Emergency Alert System, ensure the distribution of alerts to the disabled and non-English speakers, and to deliver alerts on the basis of geography and risk. To address these responsibilities, FEMA is developing the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

7.	Did your state or any localities within your state participate in any Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) pilot programs conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)?
	(Select one.)
	1.		Yes (please describe in the boxes below)
	2.		No (Skip to question 8.)
	3.		Don't know (Skip to question 8.)
	4.		No response (Skip to question 8.)

	Pilot project(s):

	Outcomes and results:

	Lessons learned:

8.	Among other things, Executive Order 13407 requires FEMA to consult, coordinate, and cooperate with state and local governments, including emergency response providers. To what extent have FEMA officials adequately communicated or coordinated with state and local governments with respect to public alert and warning programs?
	(Select one for each row.)

		Great extent	Some extent	Little extent	No extent	Don't know	No response
8a.	Receive information or updates from FEMA on adoption of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standard.
8b.	Receive communiqués from FEMA regarding IPAWS program changes or adjustments that may affect state or local emergency management.
8c.	Exchange communications (phone calls, email, memos, etc.) with FEMA officials from the IPAWS program.
8d.	Receive invitations to or participate in formal meetings or working groups with FEMA or DHS.
8e.	Solicited for or provided the opportunity to provide input to FEMA on issues related to emergency alerts and warnings.
8f.	Participate in FEMA training, tests, and exercises for IPAWS.
8g.	Participate in FEMA public education efforts for state and local governments, and the public on integrated alerts and public warning.

9.	To what extent has FEMA's communication and coordination provided you with a clear understanding of the IPAWS vision and program goals?
	(Select one.)
	1.		Great extent
	2.		Some extent
	3.		Little extent
	4.		No extent
	5.		Don't know
	6.		No response

	Please explain your answer to question 9:

10.	How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the overall level of consultation, coordination, and communication shown by FEMA with respect to public alert and warning programs?
	(Select one.)
	1.		Very satisfied
	2.		Somewhat satisfied
	3.		Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
	4.		Somewhat dissatisfied
	5.		Very dissatisfied
	6.		No response

	Please explain your answer to question 10:

11.	Is your state awaiting information and/or guidance from the federal government prior to making any investments in emergency alert and warning systems?
	(Select one.)
	1.		Yes
	2.		No
	3.		Don't know
	4.		No response

	Please explain your answer to question 11:

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Full Report: GAO-09-834

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