Overview

This article will show you how to send a LIVE IPAWS alert. To Send a DEMO alert the background will be blue. 

Important Note 

• These photos were taken in the LIVE message setting. If you are want to send a test message the page should be blue. 
• These photos are taken with all possible message types selected. Depending on which options you choose the fields may differ. 
• IPAWS Tips 

Instructions 

1. Navigate to Send IPAWS alert in the left-hand menu in the CivicReady system
   
   Note: you can also access the IPAWS URL https://cap.alertsense.com/
2. Login
   
3. Navigate to Create Public Message
   
4. Select Template (optional) 
   
5. Select desired COG endpoint. 
   
   Note: Demo will populate with a Blue background and Live is Red 
6. Message Type
   
   EAS: Emergency Alert System - TV and Radio broadcast.
   WEA: Wireless Emergency Alerts - Push notification sent to cell phones
   NWEM: Non-Weather Emergency Message - NWEM is sent to NOAA Weather Radio.
7. Message Content
   
   Event Type: Identifies the subject of the message by the SAME event code representation. This is a classifier for your message.
   WEA Handling Code: 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: This value denotes the type of action recommended for the target audience. This is not sent to the public.
   Duration: Identifies how long you expect this message to be effective. You can always update or cancel as needed.
   Change Advanced CAP Fields: (optional) Check if you want to adjust category, urgency, severity, or certainty values
   
8. EAS 
   
   Event Headline: Summary of the Event or the name of your message. Required for NWEM, and optional for EAS.
   Event Description (Required): The specifics of the event or situation. Text is included in the EAS screen crawl.
   Recommended Instructions (optional): Instructions the message recipients should follow. Text is included in the EAS screen crawl.
   Audio Message (optional): Preview Text to speech or Attach a recorded audio file as your message or listen to the text to speech of your current message.
   Add Spanish: View how to add Spanish to an IPAWS alert 
9. WEA
   Short WEA Message (Required): The Short WEA Message may not exceed 90 characters.
   Long WEA Message (optional): The Long WEA Message may not exceed 360 characters. This is separate from the short message and NOT a continuation.
10. Target Area 
    
    Area Description (Required): Enter a specific area description of the geographic area being alerted.
    Geographic Area (WEA only): Targets cell sites in a specified area, when supported by the carrier. To add on shapes create a new area. 
    FIPS Codes: Required for all EAS and WEA messages. 
11. Send Live Alert 
    
12. Review Alert and type "Live" 
    
13. Click Yes, Send Live Alert 
    
    

Resources

• Templates for Alert Messages
• FEMA IPAWS Tips