Emergency Messaging Symposium UC Davis March 27, 2008 Integrating Notification Systems Using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) David S. Burns, CEM Emergency Manager UCLA

Public Notification/Warning: Defined PUBLIC NOTIFICATION/WARNING: Official Warning/Advisory from Govt.Official Warning/Advisory from Govt. Desired affect is to instill confidenceDesired affect is to instill confidence: –People take direction and avoid panic. Provides Information about an event or incidentProvides Information about an event or incident Directs people to take a specific course of actionDirects people to take a specific course of action: Do nothing – remain in place Evacuate to designated location(s) Shelter-in-Place Take specific actions to avoid harm or injury:

Public Notification/Warning: Human Element Warning and Alerts focus on 4 basic human physical senses:Warning and Alerts focus on 4 basic human physical senses: –People can feel an event (earthquake, explosion) or a vibrating warning device –People can smell something smoke, fire, chemicals –People can hear an Audible Warning –People can see a Visual Warning Generally, emergency planners focus on 3 basic systems: Audible Warning SystemsAudible Warning Systems (Sirens & Alarms) Visual Warning SystemsVisual Warning Systems (Beacons, Strobes & Message Boards) E-Technology SystemsE-Technology Systems (computers, television, PDA, pagers, e- mail, telephone, and text based messages)

Public Notification/Warning: Existing Systems Summary (where we are today) Word of MouthWord of Mouth Public Address Systems – emergency vehiclesPublic Address Systems – emergency vehicles Public Safety and Volunteer Staff knocking on doors or use of bullhornsPublic Safety and Volunteer Staff knocking on doors or use of bullhorns Amateur “HAM” RadioAmateur “HAM” Radio EAS – Emergency Alert System (Federal/County)EAS – Emergency Alert System (Federal/County) Mass Notification System (MNS):Mass Notification System (MNS): –SMS/Text Messaging System –Telephony or Text-to-Voice –Internet (Web Page) – notification –EDIS – Emergency Digital Information System –NOAA Weather Radio –Low Power AM Radio –Cable Television

Public Notification: Existing Technologies

Audible Resources

Visual Resources TO 1630

E-Technologies

Public Notification: Existing Technology Challenges Advanced technologies have significantly complicated public alert and warning systems.Advanced technologies have significantly complicated public alert and warning systems. Systems lack integration with neighboring agencies & communities.Systems lack integration with neighboring agencies & communities. No single system can reach 100% of the population. They are usually 2 or more systems combined.No single system can reach 100% of the population. They are usually 2 or more systems combined. Implementing a single source or control point will be one of our greatest challenges – as will having the staff ready and able to activate 24/7.Implementing a single source or control point will be one of our greatest challenges – as will having the staff ready and able to activate 24/7.

Public Notification: Existing Standards Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Defined as a basic protocol for all warning systems. “CAP” is an open, non-proprietary digital format for all types of alert and notifications. “CAP” is already integrated into NWR/NOAA radio alert systems, a system integrated into UCLA’s AM Radio Station. The chief benefit of “CAP” is cost reduction and duplication of custom software interfaces to the many warning sources and dissemination systems involved in all-hazard warning. UCLA must consider “CAP” standards in all future public warning considerations and projects. Source: White Paper on Common Alerting Protocol

Realities… Want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusion of counsel until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong—these are the features which constitute the endless repetition of history. -Winston Churchill

Public Notification: Challenges… Public Educationsingle greatest continuing challengePublic Education is the single greatest continuing challenge We have taken reasonable measures to assure the public is alerted using various systems.We have taken reasonable measures to assure the public is alerted using various systems. There will be a number of people that will not be alerted:There will be a number of people that will not be alerted: –People were isolated or distracted –People did not see it –People did not hear it –People have to be actively engaged on a device to get the warnings…radio, television, pager, cell phone, computer, etc. We cannot assure that people will take action once they have been alerted:We cannot assure that people will take action once they have been alerted: –They ignore the warnings –They don’t know what to do after the warning is acknowledged. –They do not believe the warning applies to them.

System Planning Every community must determine what is the right “fit” – what works for one, may not work for another: –PUBLIC EDUCATION –PUBLIC EDUCATION is the key to success in reaching the highest percentage of people in the shortest amount of time. –Annual Training and Policy –System Costs –People Capability – it requires personnel to operate and manage each of the various systems. –Target audience – general public, residential, business, and government. –Regulatory considerations – what is required?

Potential Components The “Perfect” System, if it existed, would be based on 1 or 2 principles: –A single “Broadcast” technology – push a button and alert many, if not all, of the public interests – personnel, faculty, students, residents, anyone within the UCLA campus limits – including visitors and those in automobiles using integrated systems. –Visually alert people to activate a system: (television, radio, or e-technology).

Challenges… no matter what we do or plan Public Alerting and Warning Systems can be costly. They require consistent public education, training and exercising. To be effective, they must become “cultural” or “conditioned” within the community to be effective: –Alaska –Hawaiian Islands –Japan

First Responder Call-In UCLA CAMPUS ALERT NETWORK BANNER “POP-UP” UCLA CABLE TV PERSONAL ALERT DEVICES (cell, PDA, etc.) TELEPHONE ALERT (MASS CALL) UCLA AM RADIO (AM 1630) WEATHER RADIO (NWR) COUNTY EAS SYSTEM ROAD SIGNS & AMBER BEACONS OUTDOOR SIRENS MNS (PERSONNEL INTENSIVE) EVENT INDOOR FM AUDIBLE SYSTEM INDOOR VISUAL ALERT SYSTEM BUILDING FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATION AMATEUR RADIO TTY/TDD DEVICES MOBILE MESSAGE BOARDS Estimated Time:Minutes to Hours

Integrated Public or Mass Notification System Hormann- America

CAP-BASED Integration Hormann-America CAPCon System

UCLA Warning System Terminal First Responder Call-In UCLA CAMPUS ALERT NETWORK BANNER “POP-UP” UCLA CABLE TV PERSONAL ALERT DEVICES (cell, PDA, etc.) TELEPHONE ALERT (MASS CALL) UCLA AM RADIO (AM 1630) WEATHER RADIO (NWR) COUNTY EAS SYSTEM ROAD SIGNS & AMBER BEACONS OUTDOOR SIRENS CONTROL POINT INTEGRATED SYSTEM EXAMPLE EVENT INDOOR FM AUDIBLE SYSTEM INDOOR VISUAL ALERT SYSTEM BUILDING FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATION AMATEUR RADIO TTY/TDD DEVICES MOBILE MESSAGE BOARDS Estimated Deployment Time: Seconds to Minutes