Have you ever struggled with writing an alert while a disaster is already happening? It can be hard to know what information should be condensed into a tight character limit.
Your public alerts, warnings and notifications should include:
[Local, familiar, authoritative message source]: [Description of threat or event] in [location and consequences]. [Protective action].
For example, a 90-character alert sent to cell phones would include only pressing details:
NWS: FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY this area til 11:00 a.m. EDT. Avoid flooded areas.
Experts recommend being very specific regarding the location and protective actions involved in WEA alerts. Specifying a location takes the message one step further:
NWS: FLASH FLOOD Lake Winona area til 11:00 a.m. EDT. Take appropriate actions. Avoid flooded areas.
An alert sent to devices capable of receiving messages up to 360 characters can contain more information:
National Weather Service: A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY is in effect for the Lake Winona area until 11:00 a.m. EDT. This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
The most effective alerts are simple and easy to understand, with actionable directives, location impacted and additional sources of information if possible. Basic templates like this ensure that everyone affected by the situation receives important information.
Emergency alert systems like OnSolve CodeRED help maximize the impact of these alerts by targeting users in specific locations without alarming those who aren’t in the disaster area.
In Control: A Guide to Navigating Emergency Alerting With Authority and Precision
Use this first-of-its-kind guide to stop hesitating and use IPAWS to send life-saving alerts with confidence.
CodeRED and IPAWS
CodeRED was designed by public safety officials for public safety officials. For more than 25 years, CodeRED has helped organizations and agencies in the U.S. deliver emergency alerts quickly and reliably to help save lives. Built on decades of emergency notification experience, CodeRED provides a strong backbone for your communication strategy and is relied on as the statewide solution for internal and external public alerting by more than 20 states.
The OnSolve 24/7/365 Customer Support Team is always available to help you implement CodeRED in your own response efforts. Whether you need additional training, have clarifying questions or require help in the midst of a disaster with set up and alerting, our team of experts is only an email or phone call away.
For an in-depth look sending IPAWS alerts with confidence, download our guide.
