[EAS] IPAWS Bill Needs Your Support

[Gary Timm]

I am happy to announce that Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson is sponsoring an IPAWS Bill.  Similar legislation was introduced in the last two sessions of Congress, but despite passage by the full House in 2013 and reintroduction in the Senate in 2014, the Bill has yet to be passed by the end of each session.  We are hoping that this is "third time a charm".  You can read Senator Johnson's Press Release and find a link to the Bill at this address:
http://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/5/johnson-introduces-integrated-public-alert-and-warning-system-legislation
 
This would be a big step forward for IPAWS to move it from the creation of an Executive Order to being formally authorized in legislation.  This change would enable FEMA and FCC to more easily form an Advisory Committee to gather stakeholder input, which is important as IPAWS is now more mature and would benefit from this input.  A second important aspect of the Bill would require IPAWS training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) training, something many in our community have been advocating for years.  Seeing that NIMS training is required of virtually all first responders, this increased awareness of IPAWS would maximize the Federal government's investment in this system and benefit yet more American citizens when their local authorities sign up for IPAWS.
 
Please communicate your support for this Bill to your Senators.  A companion House Bill needing similar support will be introduced soon as well.  I will endeavor to keep you informed on the progress of these Bills.
 
Gary Timm, Broadcast Chair
Wisconsin EAS Committee