The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is part of a National Initiative under Executive Order 13407​ to develop an effective, reliable , integrated, flexible, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people.  FEMA is building IPAWS to ensure that the President of the United States can alert and warn the American people, it can also be used by State, Tribal, and Local authorities to send emergency warnings within their jurisdictions.  IPAWS provides alerting authorities the capability to send a single messages over multiple communication pathways which include:

 

 

 

 Who is authorized to use IPAWS?

 
Public officials are granted the authority to use IPAWS.  The California Emergency Alert System Plan along with local jurisdiction EAS plans specifically designate authorized organizations.  Generally, eligible organizations can include Federal Agencies, State Government, Local Government or Public Safety Organizations, and Tribal Governments.

 

 

 How do sign up to use IPAWS

 
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  • ​STEP 1:  Select IPAWS compatible software
In order to send a message using IPAWS, your organization must procure its own IPAWS compatible software.  A list of approved vendors are available on the IPAWS OPEN Developer List.   Alerting authorities authorized to use IPAWS are designated as a Collaborative Operating Group (COG).  Each COG administers individual member accounts through its software system.
  •  STEP 2:  Apply for a Memorandum of Agreement with FEMA

To request a COG, an MOA governing security system must be executed between the sponsoring organization and FEMA.  The MOA application is available on the FEMA website and includes instructions on the application process.     
 

 

  • STEP 3:  Apply for public alerting permissions
The Application for IPAWS Public Alerting Authority will be provided when you apply for a COG MOA with FEMA.  It will include contact information for California's designated state reviewer.  This is needed to ensure consistency with the state's public alerting plans.  This must be signed by a state designated official prior to submission to FEMA.
  • STEP 4: Complete IPAWS web-based training

Applications must complete independent study course, IS-247 Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.  This course is a prerequisite for full access to IPAWS OPEN.  This course does not provide training on third-party authorized software.  Contact your vendor for any software support questions.  

 
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More information on IPAWS can be found on the FEMA Website