The Alerting Authority

This episode is a rewind from our very first premiere of The Alerting Authority.In this debut conversation, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for a candid, no-nonsense look at the real challenges facing emergency alerting in the United States.Fugate explains why most alerting failures aren’t caused by technology—but by people. He emphasizes the need for emergency managers to be trained, confident, and ready to issue immediate warnings when every second counts. The discussion explores the critical differences between notifications, alerts, and true warnings, the dangers of relying too heavily on opt-in systems, and why consistent training and message practice are essential to saving lives.Whether you’re an emergency manager, public safety leader, alert originator, or crisis communication professional, this episode delivers practical insights to help build a more effective, resilient public warning system.

How do you write a missing persons alert that actually gets the public to respond?In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Tim Williams, Program Manager of the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse, to explore how New York is rethinking missing persons messaging, public alerting, and effective communication.This conversation goes deep into the science behind alert wording, why plain language matters, and how thoughtful messaging can increase public engagement, reduce confusion, and improve outcomes in missing and endangered person cases.Topics include: How New York reduced alert activation time from hours to minutes  Why “boilerplate” alert messages often fall short  The shift from template-based alerts to skill-based message design  The research behind effective missing persons messaging  Why over-alerting and too many alert names can create confusion  Removing jargon and using plain language the public understands  How New York approaches privacy, dignity, and behavioral descriptions in alerts  Whether details like eye color, vehicle models, and alert labels actually matter  Stakeholder collaboration with broadcasters, emergency managers, DOT, and law enforcement  Public trust, community empowerment, and the future of missing persons alerting Tim also shares how the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse is setting a national example through policy innovation, public awareness efforts, and evidence-based messaging practices.If you work in emergency management, public warning, law enforcement, missing persons investigations, or crisis communication, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.Subscribe for more conversations on alerting, warning, emergency communication, and public safety.#MissingPersons #EmergencyAlerting #PublicWarning #CrisisCommunication #WirelessEmergencyAlerts

What happens when emergencies involve your pets or animals? In this lively and unfiltered episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Eddie Bertola and Jeannette Sutton bring in their pets—complete with roaming goats, curious cats, and plenty of unexpected moments—to explore the critical role animals play in disasters.Joined by Dr. Sarah DeYoung, an expert in disaster research and companion animals, the conversation dives into how pets, livestock, and even exotic animals impact evacuation decisions, emergency messaging, and public safety outcomes. From goats knocking over cameras to cats hiding during evacuations, this episode blends humor with powerful insights on preparedness, warning systems, and real-world challenges.You’ll learn: How animals influence human decision-making during emergencies  Why early warnings are essential for households with pets and livestock  The hidden risks of evacuating (or not evacuating) with animals  Practical preparedness tips for pet owners and emergency managers  The emotional and psychological impact of losing animals in disasters  How organizations and policies are evolving to support animal safety Plus, hear firsthand stories from the field—including hurricane evacuations, wildfire impacts, and the chaos of managing animals in real-time.🎙️ Sponsored by HQE Systems – providing integrated alerting and notification solutions to help emergency managers simplify complex communication during crises.Whether you're an emergency manager, pet owner, or just love animals, this episode offers valuable insights into making communities safer—for both people and the animals they care about.

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with veteran alerting leader Carri Gordon to break down the evolution, effectiveness, and future of missing persons alerts.With nearly 35 years of experience in emergency communications and public safety, Carri shares her journey from early dispatch operations—long before modern alerting systems—to leading statewide alert programs and now serving as a national subject matter expert on the Ashanti Alert initiative.This episode dives deep into: How AMBER Alerts evolved from manual processes to real-time notifications  The critical role of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in saving lives  Why actionable information matters more than awareness alone  The truth about alert criteria, delays, and decision-making How the Ashanti Alert Act is transforming missing adult alerting nationwide  Lessons learned from real cases—both successful recoveries and tragic outcomes  Why the public should never disable emergency alerts on their phonesYou’ll also hear firsthand stories of alerts leading to recoveries within minutes—and the hard lessons that reshaped how alerting authorities operate today.Whether you’re in emergency management, law enforcement, public safety communications, or simply want to understand how these systems protect communities, this episode provides expert insight into the science, strategy, and human impact behind every alert.🎙️ Sponsored by EverbridgeThis episode is proudly sponsored by Everbridge, a global leader in critical event management (CEM). Trusted by over 6,500 organizations worldwide, Everbridge helps governments and enterprises anticipate, respond to, and recover from critical events using powerful, AI-driven alerting and resilience solutions.

In Part II of our deep dive into the groundbreaking RAND national alerting study, we go beyond the headline stat that 91% of Americans received the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and uncover the real story: who didn’t—and why it matters.Host Jeannette Sutton is joined again by RAND researchers Rachel Steratore and Andy Parker to explore critical gaps in emergency alert systems, including: Why rural communities are less likely to receive alerts  How age, device type, and mobile carriers impact delivery  The surprising truth about opt-out behavior (especially among younger and lower-income users)  The role of awareness, trust, and alert fatigue in public response  How disability, language, and accessibility factor into alert effectiveness  Why “sending the alert” doesn’t guarantee people actually receive—or act on—it This episode also tackles one of the biggest unanswered questions in emergency communication: Do alerts actually lead to action?You’ll hear insights on: The difference between receiving, understanding, and acting on alerts  How risk perception (fear vs. familiarity) shapes behavior  Why education and public awareness are major missing pieces  The future of alerting across devices (phones, watches, smart tech, and more)  What the next generation of research must focus on If you’re an emergency manager, public safety professional, researcher, or just someone curious about how alerts work during real crises—this episode is essential listening.👉 Watch Part I first for the full context of the RAND study 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help improve public safety awareness

In this gripping episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Eric Queller, Emergency Manager for the mountain community of Ruidoso, to unpack one of the most intense wildfire response operations in recent memory.What began as a routine fire-weather day on June 17, 2024, quickly escalated into a fast-moving disaster as the South Fork and Salt Fires ignited within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), threatening thousands of residents and tens of thousands of seasonal visitors. Within hours, a quiet mountain town of 7,000 surged into crisis mode—with a population nearing 90,000 during peak tourist season.Eric provides a vivid, moment-by-moment account of the day everything changed: from the first call reporting smoke in Upper Canyon, to hearing elite firefighting crews forced to retreat due to extreme fire behavior, to the realization that this was no ordinary incident—but a worst-case scenario unfolding in real time.Listeners are taken inside the Emergency Operations Center as it rapidly escalates from routine monitoring to full Level 1 activation. Eric recounts the weight of critical decisions, including issuing a rare and urgent “GO NOW” evacuation alert that ultimately led to the full evacuation of Ruidoso—something the town had never practiced at scale.This episode dives deep into the realities of modern emergency management, including:-The challenges of protecting a high-risk Wildland-Urban Interface community-Managing a dynamic population with tens of thousands of tourists unfamiliar with local risks-The strengths and limitations of the Ready, Set, Go framework—and why it may fall short in real-world scenarios-How clear, plain-language alerts can cut through confusion and save livesThe importance of multi-channel alerting systems, including IPAWS, Wireless -Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, AM/FM broadcasting, and even door-to-door notifications-The role of local infrastructure—like Ruidoso’s own government-run radio station—in delivering trusted, continuous communication during crisisEric also shares the emotional and operational intensity of working nearly four straight days without rest, coordinating with state officials, and making high-stakes decisions with incomplete information—all while the fire spread rapidly across rugged terrain.Beyond the fire itself, the conversation foreshadows the cascading disasters that often follow wildfires, including flash flooding risks in burn-scarred landscapes—highlighting why emergency management doesn’t end when the flames go out.This episode is both a masterclass in crisis communication and a sobering reminder of how quickly disasters can escalate—and how critical timely, decisive alerts are in protecting lives.

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Dan Vasquez, former Alert & Warning Coordinator for the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, to break down how one region built one of the most coordinated emergency alerting systems in the United States.From wildfires and hurricanes to multilingual communication and accessibility, Dan shares the real story behind:Training 190+ alert originators across 18 cities and a countyPreventing mistakes like the infamous Hawaii false missile alertWriting clear alerts using Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)Coordinating alerts across multiple jurisdictionsReaching multilingual communities with trusted messengersBuilding the Partner Relay network for accessible crisis communicationCreating policies and agreements that took 20 months to finalizeYou’ll also hear how San Diego’s Unified Disaster Council model allows multiple jurisdictions to collaborate on warning systems, funding, and training, something many emergency management agencies are trying to replicate.Plus, Dan explains the work of the Language Accessibility Alert & Warning Workgroup, a national initiative focused on making emergency alerts accessible to everyone, regardless of language, disability, or technology.If you work in emergency management, public safety, crisis communication, or government technology, this episode is packed with real-world lessons on how to deliver alerts that are accurate, timely, and accessible.

In this episode of the Alerting Authority Podcast, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola discuss winter storm alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), and real-world emergency communication examples from across the United States. From the 2022 Buffalo blizzard to recent extreme cold warnings, the hosts analyze how local emergency managers used alert origination software, warning templates, and public safety messaging to keep communities informed.The episode highlights best practices for emergency alerts, the importance of layered communication, and how agencies can improve preparedness through message templates, training, and planning. Learn how alerting authorities can better serve vulnerable populations, provide shelter information, and use WEA, social media, and local partnerships to deliver life-saving information.Sponsored by HQE Systems — providing next-generation outdoor warning sirens, indoor notification systems, and alert origination software controlled from one platform.Subscribe for more emergency management, public warning, and disaster communication insights.

Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joins The Alerting Authority, sponsored by HQE Systems, to discuss what it was really like to send the nationwide IPAWS emergency alert to every phone in the United States.In this episode, Criswell shares behind-the-scenes insights from the 2023 national emergency alert test, explains how FEMA manages the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), and discusses the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and foreign influence during disasters.Hosts Eddie Bertola and Dr. Jeannette Sutton explore how emergency managers can build trusted community networks, improve Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messaging, and ensure equitable alerting for diverse populations.Criswell also reflects on her time leading FEMA, responding to major disasters, and why people-first emergency management and equity are critical to disaster preparedness and recovery.Topics covered include:- Sending the national emergency alert to every U.S. phone- How IPAWS and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) work- Misinformation and foreign influence during disasters- Building trusted communication networks in communities- Equity in emergency management and disaster recovery- Lessons for local alerting authorities and emergency managers- The future of public alerting and warning systemsIf you work in emergency management, public safety, disaster communications, or crisis response, this episode provides critical insights into the future of public warning systems and disaster communication.This episode is sponsored by HQEsystems.com

This episode of The Alerting Authority features emergency manager Ashley Morris, whose journey from childhood storm enthusiast in New Mexico to community-focused alerting leader in Central Texas blends meteorology, public engagement, and hands-on system building.Ashley shares how her early dream of working for the National Weather Service evolved into a career in emergency management—where science, social media strategy, and relationship-building intersect. From launching alerting programs from scratch to developing policy across agencies, she discusses what it takes to build confidence, competence, and collaboration around tools like FEMA’s IPAWS.The conversation explores:Growing social media presence from zero followers in a rural, tourism-driven Texas countyPartnering with chambers of commerce, small businesses, and community leaders to amplify messagingLessons learned from larger jurisdictions like Fairfax County and applying them in smaller communitiesThe importance of policy, redundancy, and hands-on training in alerting systemsWhy visibility, trust, and relationships matter just as much as technologyThe future of alerting—from AI and the Internet of Things to flood warning innovations in TexasAshley emphasizes a powerful truth: if emergency management isn’t visible, it doesn’t exist. This episode is packed with practical insights for alerting authorities, PIOs, and emergency managers looking to strengthen trust, improve alerting confidence, and build resilient communities before the next disaster strikes.This episode of The Alerting Authority is brought to by HQE Systems. 

How can emergency alerts truly reach everyone, especially people with disabilities and access/ functional needs?In this powerful episode, we welcome Vance Taylor, Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Vance shares his personal journey, leadership philosophy, and groundbreaking work to transform inclusive emergency management across California and the nation.We explore:Why timing matters more than perfectly worded alertsThe dangers of disaster registries — and what works betterEnhanced alerting systems and early notification modelsLessons from Winter Storm Uri and disability-focused disaster researchHow alerting authorities can improve messaging todayPlanning with communities, not for themVance also discusses cultural change in emergency management, accessible technology innovation, and the responsibility of alerting authorities to reduce human suffering and loss of life.Whether you're an emergency manager, alerting authority, public safety leader, researcher, or disability advocate, this episode delivers actionable insights on whole community disaster preparedness.This episode is proudly sponsored by HQE Systems: supporting data-driven solutions.

When severe winter weather hit Arkansas, only one county issued multiple Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Was it over-alerting or a powerful example of proactive leadership?In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Dr. Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola break down a real-world case study from Calhoun County, Arkansas, where Judge Floyd Nutt sent a series of WEA messages ahead of and during a winter storm. From freezing rain and icy roads to water shortages and access to medical supplies, the messages created a narrative of preparedness, impact communication, and community reassurance.The hosts explore:When should you send a Wireless Emergency Alert for winter weather?What constitutes over-alerting vs. effective risk communication?How do WEAs impact vulnerable populations, including those with access and functional needs?Lessons from Winter Storms and the importance of inclusive alertingMessage timing, structure (90 vs. 360 characters), and trust-building strategiesUsing IPAWS effectively in rural vs. urban communitiesThis episode is a must-listen for emergency managers, public safety officials, alert originators, and risk communication professionals looking to improve warning strategy and community engagement.Subscribe, follow, and join the conversation as we work to make alerting better, and communities safer.This episode is sponsored by HQEsystems.com. Also be sure to check out Disabled Power by Angela Frederick at this link: https://nyupress.org/9781479828142/disabled-power/

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, emergency management and communications leaders from Atlanta International Airport (ATL) take listeners inside the complex world of alerting, warnings, and crisis communication at the busiest airport on the planet.Featuring insights from ATL Emergency Management, Integrated Operations Center leadership, and Airport Communications and Media Affairs, this conversation explores how large-scale airports function like cities—coordinating across airlines, TSA, law enforcement, fire, EMS, federal partners, and more than 63,000 employees to deliver clear, timely, and accessible messages during routine operations and major emergencies.The panel discusses real-world challenges such as mass notification strategy, 911 operations within airport property, interagency coordination, wireless emergency alerts, overhead paging systems, and the risks of alert “bleed-over” into surrounding jurisdictions. Listeners will learn how ATL balances proactive communication with operational precision, including the philosophy of “maximum disclosure with minimum delay.”This episode also dives into language access and accessibility, including live translation services for limited English proficiency travelers, Title VI compliance, and the realities of communicating with a highly stressed, diverse, and constantly moving population. From winter weather events and accidental discharges to after-action reviews and daily coordination calls, the discussion highlights lessons learned, best practices, and emerging innovations such as integrated operations centers, dashboards, AI, and redundant communications systems.Whether you work in aviation, emergency management, public safety, or public information, this episode offers practical takeaways on collaboration, training, message design, and how to build resilient alerting systems that work under pressure at any scale.This episode is sponsored by HQE Systems. Check them out at www.HQEsystems.comAlso check the Atlanta Airport official website at ATL.com

In December 2024, millions of people across California, Oregon, and the San Francisco Bay Area received a sudden Wireless Emergency Alert warning of a possible tsunami—an alert that stopped daily life in its tracks and raised urgent questions about how tsunami warnings are issued, who receives them, and what the public is actually expected to do.In this in-depth episode, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Dave Snider of the National Tsunami Warning Center to unpack exactly what happened during that historic alert—and what it revealed about the strengths, limitations, and future of tsunami warning and public alerting systems in the United States.Dave walks listeners through the real decision-making process behind tsunami warnings, explaining why these alerts are issued out of an abundance of caution, how earthquake magnitude thresholds are evaluated, and why tsunamis fundamentally differ from weather events that can be predicted days in advance. The conversation explores the critical distinction between tsunami warnings, advisories, and watches, and why terminology that works for hurricanes or tornadoes can create confusion when applied to earthquakes and ocean hazards.The episode also dives deep into the technology behind public alerts, including IPAWS, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), Emergency Alert System (EAS), Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs), and county-level opt-in alerting systems. Dave explains why entire counties—sometimes stretching far inland—receive tsunami warnings, how overlapping geographic boundaries like forecast zones and FIPS codes contribute to over-alerting, and why alert fatigue is a growing concern for emergency communications.A major focus of the discussion is partnership: the indispensable role of state, county, and local alerting authorities in providing follow-up messaging, local context, and actionable guidance after the initial federal alert is issued. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of what the National Weather Service can and cannot do, and why coordinated, consistent messaging at every level is essential to public safety.Looking ahead, Dave shares his vision for the future of tsunami warnings, including improved geo-targeting with smaller polygons, better message consistency across platforms, redesigned tsunami.gov services, and a more complete end-to-end communication lifecycle—from the first alert to cancellation and post-event review.Whether you’re an emergency manager, public safety communicator, policy maker, or simply someone who received the 2024 alert and wondered “Why did I get this?”, this episode provides rare behind-the-scenes insight into a system we all depend on—often without realizing how complex it truly is.This episode is sponsored by HQE Systems — supporting smarter, more resilient emergency communications.

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Pete Gaynor, former FEMA Administrator and current President of Bright Harbor, for an in-depth and candid conversation about what it truly takes to save lives through effective alerts and warnings.Drawing on his experience at the local, state, and federal levels, Pete shares powerful lessons from his career—including no-notice drills gone wrong, leadership under pressure, executive decision-making, and why alerting is one of the most consequential life-saving actions an emergency manager can take. He explains how fear, lack of practice, and false assumptions continue to create gaps in alerting nationwide—and what emergency managers can do now to close them.The discussion also explores:The realities of pressing the “send alert” buttonWhy executives must be trained—not shielded—from alerting decisionsHow FEMA, states, and locals can better balance responsibility and riskThe role of AI and data in improving early warning and decision supportWhy disasters are no longer linear—and how alerting must evolveThe long-term recovery challenges facing disaster survivors todayPete also introduces his current work as President of Bright Harbor, a mission-driven organization helping disaster survivors navigate FEMA, insurance, rebuilding, and long-term recovery so they can get back home faster.This episode is proudly sponsored by HQE Systems, a disabled veteran–owned company that specializes in alert origination software and life safety electronic security solutions. HQE Systems supports alerting authorities by simplifying workflows, integrating outdoor warning sirens and indoor notifications, and helping agencies overcome real-world operational pain points—all through a single, powerful platform.Learn more about Bright Harbor: https://www.brightharbor.co Learn more about HQE Systems: https://hqesystems.com

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Steve Torrance, Director of Emergency Management for Marin County, California, to explore how one of the nation’s most complex communities handles emergency alerts and warnings.Marin County faces a unique mix of risks — including earthquakes, wildfires, floods, tsunamis, power outages, and infrastructure failures — while also serving a constantly changing population of commuters, tourists, and vacation renters. Steve Torrance explains how his team approaches wireless emergency alerts (WEA), mass notification systems, and multi-channel alerting strategies to ensure critical information reaches people who may not live in the county — or even speak the same language.A major focus of this conversation is Marin County’s real-world response to the December 2024 Northern California tsunami warning, where a countywide WEA was issued even though only a small portion of the area was at actual risk. Steve breaks down the challenges of public panic, geographic clarity, and rapid information sharing — and why local knowledge is irreplaceable when national alerts go out.You’ll also hear about:The importance of the “first mile” before an alert is ever sentTraining first responders and dispatchers to request effective alertsWhy templates matter (and how Marin developed 90+ alert templates)Reaching older adults, tourists, and non-English speakersUsing Nextdoor, social media, sirens, EAS, phone calls, and text alerts togetherThe future of alerts: multilingual messaging, smart devices, and alerting beyond phonesWhy emergency alerting should become a standalone professionThis episode is essential listening for emergency managers, public information officers (PIOs), alerting authorities, public safety professionals, researchers, and policymakers looking to improve how alerts are written, approved, and delivered.This episode is sponsored by HQE Systems, a disabled veteran-owned provider of cutting-edge alert origination software, mass notification systems, and outdoor warning solutions.

What happens when an emergency alert is sent without enough information—or with the wrong information altogether?In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola break down a real-world emergency alert involving a reported firearm and examine how incomplete messaging, vague locations, unclear protective actions, and inconsistent follow-up alerts can confuse the public and contribute to over-alerting and alert fatigue.Drawing from peer-reviewed research and real alerting experience, the conversation explores what over-alerting actually means, how relevancy and content shape public response, why jargon like “shelter in place” can fail, and how poor messaging can overwhelm 911 centers while increasing fear rather than safety.Listeners will learn practical, evidence-based strategies for writing clearer, more effective alerts—including what information must be included, how to structure messages, and why post-alert “all clear” notifications matter just as much as the initial warning.This episode is essential listening for emergency managers, law enforcement, public safety officials, and anyone responsible for issuing alerts to their community.Sponsored by HQE Systems, a disabled veteran-owned, full-service alert origination software provider specializing in cutting-edge life safety and mass notification solutions

Do Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) actually reach the people they are intended to warn? And what happens after the alert hits a phone? In this in-depth episode, emergency management practitioners, researchers, and alerting authorities come together to break down a landmark RAND Corporation study examining the real-world performance of the Wireless Emergency Alert system following the October 4, 2023 nationwide test.Featuring insights from Rachel Steratore and Andy Parker of RAND, alongside hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola, this conversation dives into the often-overlooked “last mile” of public alerting—what happens between the cell tower and the person holding the phone. Unlike traditional text messages, WEA uses one-way broadcast technology, meaning there is no return signal to confirm whether an alert was received, noticed, or acted upon. That design choice improves speed and bandwidth efficiency, but it also creates a major data gap for emergency managers.To address this gap, RAND conducted one of the largest public alerting surveys ever fielded in the United States—over 80,000 respondents nationwide, collected within hours of the live national test. The study reveals that approximately 91% of adults with working cell phones received the alert, demonstrating extraordinary reach. But it also surfaces critical disparities related to geography, device type, age, carrier differences, and opt-out behavior.Key topics explored in this episode include:Why WEA performance cannot be measured through system logs aloneDifferences between broadcast alerts and SMS messagingRural vs. urban receipt rates and why they matterWhy Texas shows significantly higher WEA opt-out ratesHow phone design (Apple vs. Android) influences alert engagementThe role of alert fatigue, relevance, trust, and timingWhy a third of adults report never having heard of WEA beforeThe policy and training implications for alerting authoritiesThe conversation also explores future research questions, including how to empirically measure over-alerting, warning fatigue, and public trust—and how emergency managers might adopt feedback mechanisms similar to citizen science models used in weather and earthquake monitoring.If you are an alert originator, emergency manager, public safety official, researcher, or policymaker, this episode provides research-backed insights that can directly inform alerting strategies, public education efforts, and system design decisions.🔗 Learn more about the RAND study and related research at: https://www.rand.org 🔗 This episode is proudly sponsored by HQE Systems: https://www.hqesystems.com

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola are joined by Nick Crossley, Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for Hamilton County, Ohio, to explore what it truly takes to build and sustain an effective, public-facing alert and warning program.Nick shares how Hamilton County manages emergency communications across 49 jurisdictions, including the City of Cincinnati, while navigating county borders, interstate coordination, and cross-river messaging challenges. He breaks down the philosophy behind treating alerting and warning as the most public responsibility of emergency management—and why constant training, prescripting, and evaluation are critical to public trust.The conversation dives deep into:Building and maintaining a robust alerting and warning strategyTraining duty officers to confidently send Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) under pressureUsing the FEMA Message Design Dashboard (MDD) to improve clarity and reduce confusionApplying EMAP accreditation standards to alerting, communications, and documentationManaging message bleed-over across county and state boundariesLessons learned from real-world hazmat incidents, flooding, and shelter-in-place ordersPractical advice for small agencies and one-person emergency management shops just getting startedNick also shares why collaboration, borrowing templates, and cross-jurisdictional MOUs are essential tools for modern emergency management—and why continuous improvement is non-negotiable when lives are at stake.Whether you’re an emergency manager, dispatcher, public information officer, or policy leader, this episode offers actionable insights into how to design alerts that inform, protect, and empower the public when it matters most.Thank you to our sponsor, TheWarnRoom.com, for supporting this episode and helping advance best practices in emergency alerting and public communication.

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola take a deep dive into earthquake early warning systems, focusing on a recent ShakeAlert activation in California and Nevada that ultimately turned out to be a false alert. Using this real-world example, they explore how earthquake early warnings work, why they are fundamentally different from prediction systems, and what happens when alerts fail to meet public expectations.Drawing on Jeannette’s extensive research funded by the U.S. Geological Survey, the conversation breaks down the ShakeAlert system itself—how ground motion is detected within fractions of a second, how models estimate magnitude and direction, and how alerts are automatically issued through Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), opt-in apps like MyShake, and Android-based systems. Eddie brings an operational and practitioner perspective, comparing alert delivery methods, opt-in versus opt-out systems, and the real-world limitations of geofencing and alert polygons.The episode also tackles one of the most challenging issues in public alerting: what to do after an alert is sent—especially when it’s wrong. Jeannette and Eddie examine why post-alert messaging is essential for maintaining public trust, reducing fear, and preventing confusion. They draw lessons from past high-profile incidents, including the Hawaii ballistic missile false alert and earlier earthquake alerting failures, to explain why reassurance must come from the same authoritative source and through the same channel as the original warning.Listeners will hear why delays in follow-up messaging can leave people frightened, displaced, and unsure whether it’s safe to resume normal activity—and why simply staying silent is not an option. The discussion introduces the Post-Alert Lexicon, a research-backed framework designed to help alerting authorities craft effective follow-up messages that clearly communicate safety, uncertainty, and next steps without over-alerting the public.This episode is essential listening for emergency managers, alert originators, public information officers, researchers, and anyone responsible for issuing—or evaluating—alerts. It reinforces a core principle of emergency communication: sending the alert is only the beginning. How you follow up can determine whether the public trusts you the next time seconds truly matter.This episode of The Alerting Authority is proudly sponsored by HQE Systems.HQE Systems is a disabled veteran–owned company specializing in full-service alert origination and life safety solutions. From cutting-edge outdoor warning sirens and indoor notification systems to electronic mass notification platforms, HQE Systems helps agencies address their real-world alerting challenges—all managed through a single, powerful software solution.We sincerely thank HQE Systems for their continued support and their commitment to advancing effective, reliable, and life-saving public alerting.

During a family trip to Atlanta, Eddie’s phone — along with thousands of others — blared an Amber Alert inside the Coca-Cola Museum. But what should have been a clear, actionable notification turned into a case study in how alerts fail the public. In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette and Eddie break down the real-world Amber Alert issued in Georgia: what the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) said, what it didn’t say, and why the Emergency Alert System (EAS) version told a completely different story.From missing context to jargon overload, statewide over-alerting, and confusion around Levi’s Call vs. Amber Alert, they analyze how poor message design can reduce public engagement — and how research-based practices could have made this alert vastly more effective.They also discuss public reactions, messaging problems, the importance of templates, and why plain-language communication is essential when seconds matter.

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola speak with one of the most influential researchers in the field of public warning systems: Dr. Michele Wood. As a core member of the team that developed the original Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) — now known as WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) — Dr. Wood brings unparalleled insight into how alerts are created, delivered, interpreted, and acted upon by the public.Together, we explore the history of WEA, the evidence behind message length and content, how people understand alerts during crises, and the psychology behind protective action decision-making. Dr. Wood breaks down major findings from decades of research, including household preparedness studies, alert comprehension data, and lessons learned from disasters and national field tests.Whether you're an emergency manager, communicator, researcher, public health leader, or technology developer, this conversation offers essential insights into what makes alerts effective, what causes failure, and how agencies can improve safety outcomes through better message design and communication strategies.Stay tuned as we also discuss over-alerting, public trust, behavioral response, and the future of digital emergency communication.Sponsored by HQE Solutions — a leader in IPAWS alerting, public safety technology, and emergency messaging innovation. Learn more at: https://www.hqesolutions.com

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola welcome one of the world’s leading experts in disaster communication and public warning behavior: Dr. John Sorensen. With decades of research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory—including studies on Three Mile Island, nuclear emergencies, chemical stockpile response, reverse 911 systems, and major wildfire evacuations—Dr. Sorensen has helped shape how emergency managers understand why people do and do not take protective action during crises.We dive deep into the Mileti Model, PADM (Protective Action Decision Model), and the factors that influence real-world behavior when an alert goes out. Dr. Sorensen shares firsthand insights from field deployments, national-level studies, and community-level evacuations—revealing what actually works (and what often fails) in public warning.Whether you work in emergency management, public safety, crisis communication, or disaster science, this conversation provides valuable lessons on message design, trust, human behavior, and the future of alerts and warnings.This episode is sponsored by HQE Solutions, a leader in IPAWS, alerting technology, and public warning innovation. Learn more at https://www.hqesolutions.com

In this compelling episode, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola take listeners behind the scenes of real-world Wireless Emergency Alerts — including a recent missing teen case in Pea Ridge, Arkansas — to show how evidence-based message design can directly support effective public safety outcomes.Together, they break down: • The difference training makes in high-stakes alert messaging • Why many WEAs still lack critical information • How the Message Design Dashboard improves quality and consistency • A side-by-side comparison of a weak alert vs. a complete, research-based alert • How post-alert “closure messages” build trust and reduce strain on 911 centers • Real community outcomes when alerts are done rightPlus: Eddie shares a firsthand account from a recent local search, including how the Pea Ridge Police Department used structured messaging to quickly locate a missing teen with help from the community.This is an essential episode for alerting authorities, emergency managers, public information officers, dispatch personnel, law enforcement, and anyone who communicates during critical events.👉 Tune in, subscribe, and share — your participation helps make our communities safer. Special thanks to our sponsor, HQE Systems, a veteran-owned alert origination and life-safety technology provider.

In this premiere episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola welcome former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for a powerful, no-nonsense conversation about the real challenges facing emergency alerting in the U.S.Fugate breaks down why alert failures usually come from people, not technology—and why emergency managers must be trained, confident, and ready to issue immediate warnings when minutes matter. The discussion dives into the difference between notifications, alerts, and true warnings, the risks of overusing opt-in systems, and why consistent practice is essential for saving lives.If you are an emergency manager, public safety leader, alert originator, or anyone involved in crisis communication, this episode delivers critical insights into building a more resilient and responsive warning system.