Import IPAWS Shapes

This article will show you how to import shapes from a file or URL when filling out IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) public message forms.

Import from a File

Use the steps in this section to import your shapes from the following file types:

• Esri Shapefile (.ZIP)
• CSV
• GeoJSON

Instructions

1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already
   
   Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system (formerly CivicReady) and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.
   
2. Begin the Send an IPAWS alert process
3. When you get to the Target Area section, click the Add Shape link
   
4. Click the Import Shape button at the top of the toolbar on the right-hand side of the map that appears
   
5. The default import option selection is ESRI shapefile (.zip), .geoJson, .csv (file import option); you can leave this option as is
   
6. Click the Select File button
   
7. Select your file from your computer when prompted
8. After you have selected your file, click the Import Shapefile button to start the import process
   
9. After the file has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map
10. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer
    
11. Within the details pop-up, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map
    
    Notes:

    • The Add Shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map.
    • The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.
    • Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.
12. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit the shape as needed
13. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click the Save Shape button at the top of the map screen to return to the IPAWS message form
    

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Import from a URL

1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already
   
   Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system (formerly CivicReady) and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.
   
2. Begin the Send an IPAWS alert process
3. When you get to the Target Area section, click the Add Shape link
   
4. Click the Import Shape button at the top of the toolbar on the right-hand side of the map
   
5. Click the Import Option drop-down menu and select the From a URL option
   
6. Enter the URL of your hosted FeatureLayer or Webmap Service in the provided field
   
   
   Note: Only publicly available URLs can be used to import layers and shapes.
7. Click the Import from URL button
   
8. After the URL has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map
9. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer
   
10. Within the details popup, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map
    
    Notes:

    • The Add Shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map.
    • The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.
    • Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.
11. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit the shape as needed
12. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click the Save Shape button at the top of the map screen to return to the IPAWS message form
    

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Import a KML File

1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already
   
   Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system (formerly CivicReady) and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.
   
2. Begin the Send an IPAWS alert process
3. When you get to the Target Area section, click the Add Shape link
   
4. Click the Import Shape button at the top of the toolbar on the right-hand side of the map
   
5. Click the Import Option drop-down menu and select the KML File URL option
   
6. Enter the URL of your hosted FeatureLayer or Webmap Service in the provided field
   
   
   Note: KML files can only be imported from a publicly available URL. Local file imports for KML files are not supported at this time.
7. Click the Import from URL button
   
8. After the URL has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map
9. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer
   
10. Within the details popup, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map
    
    Notes:

    • The Add Shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map.
    • The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.
    • Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.
11. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit the shape as needed
12. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click the Save Shape button at the top of the map screen to return to the IPAWS message form
    

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Resources

• Send IPAWS Alert
• ArcGIS Online Shapefiles
• ArcGIS Server Web Services
• FEMA Tip 39: IPAWS Alerts Distribution Pathways and Alert Coverage (PDF)

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