It’s 2014 National Severe Weather Awareness Week from March 2nd through March 8th.

Today, we will focus in on wireless mobile notification alerts!

Have you heard of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)?

• Alerts received at the right time can help keep you safe during an emergency. With WEA, warnings can be sent to your mobile device when you may be in harm’s way, without need to download an app or subscribe to a service.
• You can receive important lifesaving alerts no matter where you are – at home, at school, or at work. Numerous public safety officials use reliable systems to alert you and your family in the event of natural or man-made disasters. Many communities also offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems.

Do you know what the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is used for?

• The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, satellite digital audio service and direct broadcast satellite providers, cable television systems, and wireless cable systems to provide the President with a communications capability to address the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency.

Meshing all technologies together, do you know how the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) is already helping everyone?

• The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), is a modernization and integration of the nation’s existing and future alert and warning systems, technologies, and infrastructure.
• IPAWS’ EAS is the message dissemination pathway that sends warnings via broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline services. EAS may be used by state and local authorities, in cooperation with the broadcast community, to deliver important emergency information, such as weather information, AMBER alerts, and local incident information targeted to specific areas.
• The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, satellite digital audio service and direct broadcast satellite providers, cable television systems, and wireless cable systems to provide the President with a communications capability to address the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency.

At this time in Ohio, the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) authorities who have completed the authentication steps are:

1. Ashtabula County

2. Clark County

3. Delaware County

4. Fairfield County

5. Geauga County

6. Lucas County

7. Ohio Emergency Management Agency

8. Tuscarawas County

Hope you are paired with one of these local agencies to receive better information during severe weather or major emergency…otherwise, you’ll be left out in the dark.

@rusnivek