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We are excited to announce the launch of updated product names, logos, and headers within our user interfaces as part of the CivicPlus® Solution Rebranding initiative. These changes mark the first step toward creating a cohesive and seamless user experience across all solutions in our portfolio. As part of this transition, users may notice minor design updates. While the functionality you rely on remains unchanged, we are in the process of updating screenshots and other resources on our Help Centers to reflect the new branding. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete these updates.

Send an IPAWS Alert

  • Updated:

This article will show you how to send a Live IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) alert. To Send a Demo alert the background will be blue. 

 

Important Notes

  • These photos were taken in the Live message setting. If you 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. 
  • View IPAWS Tips.

 

Instructions

  1. Navigate to Send IPAWS Alert in the left-hand menu
    Send IPAWS Alert option in left navigation menu.
    Note: You can also access the IPAWS URL https://cap.alertsense.com/.
  2. Log in with your Email Address and Password
    IPAWS Login screen.
  3. Click the Create Public Message button
    Create public message button.
  4. Select a Template (optional) 
    Template drop-down.
  5. Select the desired COG (Collaborative Operating Group) Endpoint
    IPAWS Endpoint drop-down.
    Note: The Demo will have a blue background and the Live is red.
  6. Choose the Message Type
    Message Type checkboxes.
    • EAS: Emergency Alert System; TV and Radio broadcast
    • WEA: Wireless Emergency Alerts; push notifications sent to cell phones
    • NWEM: Non-Weather Emergency Message; NWEM is sent to NOAA Weather Radio
  7. Configure Message Settings
    Message Settings fields.
    • 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 (Common Alerting Protocol) Fields (Optional): Check if you want to adjust category, urgency, severity, or certainty values
      Change Advanced CAP checkbox.
  8. If applicable, configure EAS fields 
    Emergency Alert System fields.
    • 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. If applicable, fill out WEA fields
    Wireless Emergency Alerts fields.
    • Short WEA Message (Required): The Short Wireless Emergency Alerts Message may not exceed 90 characters.
    • Long WEA Message (Optional): The Long Wireless Emergency Alerts Message may not exceed 360 characters. This is separate from the short message and not a continuation.
    • Recommended Instructions (Optional): Instructions the message recipients should follow. Text is included for iPhone users running iOS 17 or newer. It is recommended to include a specific area and direction to the public. Instructions with more than 600 characters will be truncated. Learn more about the Recommended Instructions field.
  10. Set the Target Area
    Target Area fields.
    • 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: Federal Information Processing System codes are required for all EAS and WEA messages.
  11. Click Send Live Alert 
    Send Live Alert button.
  12. Review the Alert and type Live to confirm
    Type Live to Confirm field.
  13. Click Yes, Send Live Alert
    Yes, Send Live Alert button.

 

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