[EAS] Recommendation For The Next National Test

[Don Heppelmann]

Yesterday's NPT worked well using IPAWS as well through other FEMA distribution routes. The audio sounded great and thanks for the broadcast sounding voice. The tempo was good and I hope our friends in Emergency Management can learn from it.

We received the NPT from  the following: NPR via Minnesota Public Radio, WCCO (PEP), and IPAWS. All sounded great when reviewing recordings from DASDEC server. It was great to have English and Spanish audio versions from the IPAWS too.

Here is a request for future national testing: Since the EAN and NPT are different alerts when compared to all the other EAS alerts, perhaps on the next national test, FEMA just utilize routes for PEP entry points. In other words, not use IPAWS. The reason is the operational workflow for an EAN is live audio. Yesterday's test demonstrated the value of IPAWS for distribution of non-national EAS alerts, but it's not designed for live audio when originating the EAN or NPT.  Until FEMA can deploy IPAWS with live streaming capability, recommend not using IPAWS for national level testing.

Don Heppelmann
Twin Cities PBS