Whether you know what all the acronyms stand for or not – Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, Commercial Mobile Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts – you probably do know that NOW is the time to ready your operation for FEMA’s integrated interoperable environment for public alerting.

Granted, there has been a lot of talk about IPAWS, CMAS and WEA for months (actually, years), but it is, to a certain degree, now a reality. On Saturday, April 7, 2012, the system – through which alerts can be sent to mobile devices without cost or public sign-up – went live.

Can public safety operations now send alerts to the public? Yes and no. Those who have become authorized IPAWS alerting authorities can. Those that want the ability can complete the simple, four-step process to become one. And, they can do so completely free of charge. Applications are available online at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/.

Next in line to start using IPAWS, CMAS, WEA – and very soon – is the National Weather Service.

Their experience, along with that of other early adopters throughout the country, should go a long way toward improving vendors’ and alerting authorities’ understanding of FEMA’s vision to enable timely alert and warning to American people in the preservation of life and property. Equally, if not even more important, their initial success should give the population a greater sense of security as more people receive notification in emergency situations.

No matter what you call it – IPAWS, CMAS, WEA – the goal to have an effective and reliable system to better communicate with, and ultimately better protect, our nation’s people, is the same.

The Cassidian Communications team, along with the alerts and warnings experts of Galain Solutions, can point you to the resources you need to move forward now.