Just Announced at IAEM: WEA 2.0 & 3.0 Roll Out Date, November 29th

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IPAWS

Just Announced at IAEM: WEA 2.0/3.0 Roll Out Date

November 29, 2019

FEMA will update IPAWS to support new WEA  enhancements on November 29th, 2019!

After exhaustive testing the IPAWS-OPEN release 3.10 will go live on November 29th, 2019. This release will support WEA 2.0 enhancements:

  • 360 character alerts;
  • Spanish language alerts;
  • WEA Test category; and
  • Public Safety category.

It will also support WEA 3.0 enhancements:

  • Reach 100% of the target area with no more than 1/10th mile overshoot.

As you may be aware, these new features require more than just IPAWS updates, they require updates to the wireless providers’ systems, updates to cell phones, and updates to alerting software.

The IPAWS Program Management Office (PMO) has already tested with some wireless providers and alerting software vendors and we anticipate the new WEA features will be supported by many providers on November 29th. We also anticipate some wireless providers, cell phones, and alerting software tools will still need to make updates in the coming weeks and months. You should expect to see a transition period while WEA 1.0 ramps down and WEA 2.0/3.0 rolls out. IPAWS will accommodate all versions of WEA doing the transition to ensure that the public will receive alerts for which their phones and providers are compatible.

FEMA will provide additional details in an upcoming webinar, date is to be announced, so stay tuned!

If you have any questions, please contact the FEMA IPAWS PMO at IPAWS@fema.dhs.gov.