Skip to main content
Attention customers within hurricane impacted areas:
Due to widespread impacts resulting from hurricanes, CivicPlus is committed to enhancing our resources to manage the anticipated increase in traffic and mitigate any potential disruptions. We will prioritize all assistance requests from affected areas to ensure we provide the highest level of support possible. Please be assured that we are here to assist you in any way we can during this challenging time. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities.

Search

IPAWS Monthly Proficiency Demonstration

  • Updated:

This article will walk you through how to complete the monthly proficiency testing requirement to maintain your IPAWS access with FEMA.

 

Important Note

  • Make sure all individuals with access to IPAWS know what their responsibility is with regard to the Proficiency Demonstration requirement.

 

Article Navigation

 

Not finding what you are looking for? View additional resources

 

Proficiency Demonstration Overview

To comply with the Proficiency Demonstration requirement, simply send 1 alert using your DEMO COG per month. A single alert must, minimally, be initiated using your DEMO COG once a month. It is not necessary for each individual with access to IPAWS to send a message each month but certainly could as a great practice mechanism. There is no limit on how many messages an agency can send using your DEMO COG. There is no specific date that the test must be sent. The date can be any time during the calendar month, each month.

 

Go to Article Navigation

 

Conduct a Proficiency Demonstration

  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.
    The Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options in the Mass Notification system dashboard navigation menu.
  2. Click the Create Public Message button in the Messages section of the Dashboard
    A green, rectangular Create Public Message button.
  3. Navigate to the Message Type section and click the IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint drop-down
    The IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint dropdown field.
  4. Select the DEMO COG option from the list
    The DEMO-COG option in the IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint dropdown list.
    Note: The IPAWS Endpoint Type is a required field that determines the location where the message will be sent. You must select the DEMO COG to ensure this message is sent to the IPAWS Lab. If you select a live option, the message will be sent to the public and/or broadcasters.
  5. Check the checkboxes next to the names of the alert channels you would like to send the message through
    EAS, WEA, and NWEM alert channel checkboxes.
    • EAS: Check this box if you want the message to be disseminated across Emergency Alert System channels (television and radio broadcast)
    • WEA: Check this box if you want the message to be disseminated across Wireless Emergency Alerts channels (push notification sent to cell phones)
    • NWEM: Check this box if you want the message to be disseminated across Non-Weather Emergency Message channels (sent to NOAA Weather Radio)
    Note: Remember, this is just a test message sent to the IPAWS Lab. This message is not seen by the public. It is only sent to the IPAWS Lab. You can choose a single alert channel or a combination of any of the three choices. There is no requirement to select certain channels.
  6. Scroll down to the Message Settings section and fill in the information fields
    Drop-down fields and a checkbox in the Message Settings section.
    • Event Type (required): Identifies the subject of the message by the same event code representation. This is a classifier for your message.
    • WEA Handling Code (required; will only appear if WEA was been checked in Step 5): This value informs carriers how to handle the WEA message. The form will automatically select the correct code based on the event type.
    • Response Type (required): This value denotes the type of action recommended for the target audience. This is not sent to the public.
    • Duration (required): Identifies how long you expect this message to be effective.
      Note: Starting time is when the message is sent. We recommend 4 hours if you do not know the duration. You can always update or cancel as needed.
    • Change Advanced CAP Fields (optional): Check this box to modify the CAP, send a copy of your message to another COG, or adjust the Category, Urgency, Severity, or Certainty values.
    Note: Fill in these fields just as you would for a real-life event alert. There is no requirement to select certain types. You can choose any code available in the drop-down lists.
  7. Scroll down and fill in the message fields for the channels you have chosen
    WEA: Mobile Phone Content message fields.
    • Short WEA Message (required): Enter a short Wireless Emergency Alerts message; limited to 90 characters
    • Long WEA Message (optional): Enter a short Wireless Emergency Alerts message that is separate from the short message and not a continuation; limited to 360 characters
    • Recommended Instructions (optional): Enter any instructions the message recipients should follow (include specific areas and directions to the public); limited to 600 characters
    Notes:
    • The nature and number of the message fields that appear will depend on the channels you have selected. For the purposes of this article, WEA is the selected channel so the WEA: Mobile Phone Content fields are displayed.
    • Because this is a test, it is good practice to include the word 'TEST' at the beginning and end of your message. There is no requirement for certain verbiage to be used for this test alert.
    • Click the Add Spanish tab to add Spanish text to the IPAWS DEMO alert
  8. Scroll down to the Target Area section and fill in the information fields
    Target Area section and information fields.
    • Area Description (required): Enter a specific area description of the geographic area being alerted
    • Geographic Area (optional; WEA only): Click the Add Shape link to target cell sites in a specified area, when supported by the carrier
    • FIPS Codes (required for all EAS and WEA messages): Click to choose the FIPS code(s) for the affected area(s) from the drop-down list
  9. Click the Send Test Alert button
    A blue, rectangular Send Test Alert button below the Target Area section.
  10. An Are you sure you want to send a Test alert? dialog box will appear, just as there would be for a live alert
    A test alert confirmation pop-up.
  11. Type the word 'Test' into the Type "Test" to confirm text box
    Type Test to confirm text box.
  12. Click the Yes, Send Test Alert button to confirm and send your message
    A blue, rectangular Yes, Send Test Alert button below the Type Test to confirm text box.
  13. An Alert Summary History page will appear
    Notes:
    • Once on the Alert Summary History page, look for the IPAWS-OPEN Status section. You should see all green checkmarks. If you do, your alert was successfully sent. If you see any caution signs, contact Support and we will check the alert for you.
      The IPAWS-OPEN Status section for an example ALert Summary History page.
    • You can also navigate to your IPAWS Support page and click the IPAWS Message Viewer link to check the status of your message. This will show you that the message was successfully disseminated to the channels you selected. Simply type your COG ID or the name of your organization in the COG ID box, and it will show DEMO alerts sent in the last 24 hours (you can find your COG ID in the system).
      The COG ID field on the IPAWS Message Viewer page.

 

Go to Article Navigation

 

Article Glossary

The terms located in this section are listed alphabetically.

  • CAP: Common Alerting Protocol
  • COG: Collaborative Operating Group
  • COG ID: Collaborative Operating Group Identification number
  • DEMO: Demonstration
  • EAS: Emergency Alert System
  • FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • FIPS: Federal Information Processing Standard
  • IPAWS: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
  • IPAWS-OPEN: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Open Platform for Emergency Networks
  • NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • NWEM: Non-Weather Emergency Message
  • WEA: Wireless Emergency Alerts

 

Go to Article Navigation

 

Resources

 

Go to Article Navigation

Comments

Let us know what was helpful or not helpful about the article.

0 comments

Please sign in to leave a comment.