IPAWS

Information for emergency management officials in Tennessee about the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), including applying for IPAWS access, selecting alert origination software, and guidance for alerting entities.

What is IPAWS?

Being able to alert and warning the public quickly in an emergency can save lives.

IPAWS provides a single interface that allows emergency officials to warn the public effectively during serious emergencies through the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. 

Federal, state, local, tribal and territorial alerting authorities can also integrate local systems that use Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standards with the IPAWS infrastructure.

For IPAWS Questions

Jason Arbogast
TEMA Operations Administrator
Jason.Arbogast@tn.gov
615-815-9024

NOTE:  FEMA now requires all approved alerting authorities to conduct monthly, proficiency tests with their alerting software, or lose their ability to access the federal IPAWS platform to send alerts and warnings.  This testing requirement should be noted in the alerting policies for the organizations.  If alerting authorities are not familiar with how to use the Open/Demo testing area of their IPAWS software to conduct the proficiency test monthly, they should contact their software vendor.  This is not something TEMA can assist with or do on their behalf.

Strategic Guidance

State of Tennessee 2013 EAS Plan (PDF Document)

IPAWS Event Codes Guidance (PDF Document)

TEMA Communication and Warning Annex (PDF Document)

FEMA Application for IPAWS Alerting Authority (PDF Document)

FEMA MOA Application (PDF Document)

Template: Emergency Communications Plans and IPAWS (PDF Document)

EAS Best Practices Guide (PDF Document)

IPAWS 101 (PDF Document)

FEMA IPAWS Information (https://www.fema.gov/integrated-public-alert-warning-system)

FCC EAS Page (https://www.fcc.gov/general/emergency-alert-system-eas-0)

FCC WEA Page (https://www.fcc.gov/public-safety-and-homeland-security/policy-and-licensing-division/alerting/general/wireless#block-menu-block-4)

Ready.gov/Alerts (https://www.ready.gov/alerts)