1. IPAWS in Action How IPAWS is being used around the nation to help save lives and protect property

2. When can IPAWS be used? Tornados Evacuations Earthquakes Child Abductions/AMBER Water Contamination Gridlock Water and Relief Supply Distribution Large Power Outages Toxic Plumes Volcano Shelter-In-Place Presidential Alerts Disaster Resources Wildfires Dam Brakes Chemical Spills Law Enforcement Situations Nuclear Accidents Road Outages/Closures Flash Flooding Snowstorms Anything public safety officials determine is a threat to public safety

3. BOSTON BOMBINGS’ MAN-HUNT  Boston officials used Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in the aftermath of the marathon bombings.  Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has the ability and authority to use IPAWS and issued an imminent threat WEA stating, “Shelter in place still in effect, it does not prevent employees from returning home – MEMA”.  Boston residents then spread the word by tweeting. WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

4. SHELTER-IN-PLACE AND EVACUATIONS SUPER STORM SANDY  “As Hurricane Sandy headed for the city…, sirens began ringing on some New Yorkers’ cell phones. The alarms were accompanied by messages telling them to stay inside; not to drive; or for those in Zone A, to evacuate. -- New York Times, November 9, 2012  The emergency alerts showed up where and when they mattered.” -- O’Reilly Radar, October 30, 2012 WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

5. PLANNED POWER OUTAGE: TENNESSEE  The Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) supported local outreach efforts to let county residents know about the outage and what to do to prepare.  Tennessee Emergency Management Agency issued a WEA about a planned county-wide power outage to Moore County and parts of Lincoln County, informing them that their power would be out for about four hours.  “This is a great capability for local emergency manager and agencies,” said Jason Deal director of the Moore County Emergency Management Agency. “Having multiple channels for distributing warnings makes us more effective in our efforts to protect the public.” http://news.tn.gov/node/11396 September 23, 2013 http://news.tn.gov/node/11396 WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

6. STAY-OFF-THE-ROADS IN SOUTH DAKOTA Rapid City, SD Oct 4, 2013 Pennington County emergency management officials issued an advisory to follow the National Weather Service’s Blizzard Warning with supplemental instructions to stay off the roads and shelter-in-place. http://www.tristateneighbor.com/news/regional/remembering-atlas-are-we-prepared-for-the-next-blizzard/article_3dd9283c-4d6f-11e4-ad9d- 132a996392a8.html

7. 911 OUTAGES FOR WIRELESS CUSTOMERS – TENNESSEE Due to an event that affected the delivery of wireless calls to 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in West Tennessee. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) issued a WEA for each particular county affected in West Tennessee. Shelby County Crockett County Dyer County Hardeman County McNair County Weakly County http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/26535381/911-trouble-continues-new-backup-numbers-released Western Tennessee 911 Outages

8. AMBER ALERTS: OKLAHOMA  In Tulsa County, OK, a man at a fishing pond spotted the vehicle that had been plastered in AMBER alerts all over broadcast media, WEAs, Facebook, asking the public to look for a child taken by his father.  The man crawled through tall weeds to confirm the license plate and then called the police. The father and 2- year-old son were asleep inside the vehicle.  “I didn’t think none of it [the WEA]; just keep an eye out and next thing I know, I’m fishing the next morning and here we are...” -- http://wnow.worldnow.com/story/23346951/sperry-man-describes- finding-toddler-in-tulsa-amber-alert 09/05/2013 http://wnow.worldnow.com/story/23346951/sperry-man-describes- finding-toddler-in-tulsa-amber-alert WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

9. SUMMER CAMP AND TORNADOS: CONNECTICUT  Five counselors and 29 children were in the Sports World Complex soccer dome when the manager received a WEA and evacuated everyone into an adjoining building. The EF-1 category tornado hit the dome within about two minutes of the alert which was also about the time it took to rush everyone into the adjoining building.  “Maybe two seconds after they got through the door, I looked back and heard a loud boom...and saw the top of the dome going flying into the air” said camp counselor Kyle Noonan. No children were injured, not even a scratch. http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Tornado-Warning-in- Effect-for-Fairfield-County-213843351.html July 3, 2013 http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Tornado-Warning-in- Effect-for-Fairfield-County-213843351.html WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

10. MULTI-ALARM BLAZE - PORT OF LOS ANGELES, CA Los Angeles firefighters watch as smoke from a dock fire continues to rise as a fire boat sprays the underside of wooden pier timbers at the Port of Los Angeles in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept 23, 2014. The fire that forced evacuations from the wharf continues to smolder but officials say it's under control. Nearly 12 hours after starting, the blaze is sending up huge plumes of smoke that is drifting over Los Angeles Harbor early Tuesday. (AP Photo/The Daily Breeze, Brad Graverson) http://gazette.com/ports-mostly-reopen-after- los-angeles-area-fire/article/feed/160238 Port of Los Angeles Multi-alarm Fire

11. COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AND TORNADOS: ILLINOIS  In Washington, IL, 600 – 700 people were in Sunday services when cell phones began to display Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).  “Everybody started looking down,” the pastor said, and saw a message from the National Weather Service cautioning that a twister was in the area. The pastor stopped the service and ushered everyone to a safe place until the threat passed.  A day later, many townspeople said those messages helped minimize deaths and injuries. “That’s got to be connected…the ability to get instant information.” http://www.kljb.com/story/24017071/text- alert-helped-tornado-survivors-get-to-safety November 19, 2013 http://www.kljb.com/story/24017071/text- alert-helped-tornado-survivors-get-to-safety WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

12. WINTER STORMS: MISSISSIPPI  The Mississippi EMA sent two Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) because several counties in the Mississippi delta and river experienced iced roads and bridges where emergency only travel was advised and due to a multiple 18- wheeler accident involving hazardous materials.  The first WEA read “Civil Emergency – Prepare for action” and frightened many citizens that received the message. The technical glitch was quickly resolved and the second WEA was sent seamlessly to those affected by the winter storm.  “There was no way to test the system before its use, so it was a learning experience for both us and the cell phone companies…I am convinced this alerting system can save lives, as long as citizens do not disable it on their phones,” said MEMA Director Robert Latham. http://www.msema.org/mema-sends-first-wireless-emergency- alert-messages/ February 13, 2014 http://www.msema.org/mema-sends-first-wireless-emergency- alert-messages/ WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

13. WINTER STORMS: GEORGIA  The second week of February, Georgians across the state received a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) warning them a winter storm was approaching.  Issuing a WEA was one of the reforms Gov. Nathan Deal and his team enacted after the public communication failures before and during the previous week’s storm.  No one can say they did not know this was coming,” said Gov. Deal’s spokesman, Brian Robinson in an interview. http://www.gpb.org/news/2014/02/11/winter-weather- dovetails-with-quickie-session February 11, 2014 http://www.gpb.org/news/2014/02/11/winter-weather- dovetails-with-quickie-session WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

14. FREEZING RAIN: OREGON  The City of Portland used IPAWS to send Wireless Emergency Alerts to people in Multnomah County after freezing rain blanketed the metro area with ice. The WEA read, "Portland strongly urges all residents to stay indoors today & not travel due to ice."  "The icy condition of sidewalks, in addition to the already slick roads, were key deciding factors in sending out the alert," Transportation Director Leah Treat said. February's alert was the first time WEA was used by the City of Portland. http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Portland-uses-wireless-alert- system-for-first-time-244632301.html February 9, 2014 http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Portland-uses-wireless-alert- system-for-first-time-244632301.html WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION

15. TORNADOS: IOWA  Due to all the wind and rain, tornado sirens couldn’t be heard by at least one family in Hospers, Iowa. They were watching a movie and unaware that a tornado was tearing through their community and would soon touch their home.  “We were watching a movie…and we heard something beeping going off—it was our cell phones (WEA) telling us there was a warning out there,” said Jim Huitiak. They looked out the window, saw a funnel cloud, and immediately went into the basement. Fortunately, the family made it to their basement before the damage hit. WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION http://www.ksfy.com/story/25496394/rural-cell-phone-alert- system-warns-family-of-dangerous-tornadohttp://www.ksfy.com/story/25496394/rural-cell-phone-alert- system-warns-family-of-dangerous-tornado 2014 May 12, 2014

16. AMBER ALERTS: CALIFORNIA WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: June 19, 2014 Yuba City, CA Yuba City - June 19, 2014 The whole ordeal started at 7 a.m. in Oroville and ended in Yuba City, just nine minutes after the alert was issued. As he was on the road, Lally Ghutty looked down and saw an Amber Alert notification on his iPhone. Literally seconds later, he glanced to the left at a Yuba City parking lot. Unbelievably, the blue minivan he saw, completely by chance, was the suspect’s minivan. http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2014/06/19/amber-alert-suspect-spotted-in- yuba-city-seconds-after-statewide-cellphone-alert/

17. AMBER ALERTS: MINNESOTA The Bureau of Criminal of Apprehension issued a full AMBER Alert, including a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) when an eight-month-old Minnesota child was abducted February 20 from his Minneapolis home by a woman who was an acquaintance of the boy’s mother. A teenager who received the WEA alert on her cell phone spotted the vehicle used in the abduction and told her father, who notified police. Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department located the victim unharmed in the basement of the home where the vehicle was found. The suspect was apprehended outside of the home. WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: February 21, 2013, Minneapolis, MN This WEA marked the first time in the United States a cell phone alert led directly to the successful recovery of a child. http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/21292496/emergency-alerts- cell-phones-abuzz-with-wireless-alerts

18. AMBER ALERTS: CALIFORNIA WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: March 25, 2013, San Jose, CA An 11-month-old girl went missing after she was left inside a running vehicle. An unknown female stole the vehicle and left with the child. An AMBER Alert was activated, including cell phone notifications with the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system. A citizen heard a baby crying in a vehicle and then received a text message from a friend about the AMBER Alert. The friend had learned of the AMBER Alert from the WEA notification. The citizen realized the vehicle with the baby was the vehicle in the AMBER Alert and notified police. The child was rescued safely. http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_22865296/san-jose-police-looking- stolen-car-baby-inside

19. AMBER ALERTS: OHIO WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: July 1, 2013, Cleveland, OH An 8-year-old boy went missing when his non-custodial father did not bring him home as planned. Because of the abductor’s history, law enforcement was concerned for the safety of the child and an AMBER Alert was activated. A group of citizens became aware of the AMBER Alert when they all received Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on their cell phones. A few hours later, the same group was at a diner when one of the citizens spotted the vehicle. He and one of the other individuals followed the vehicle and called 911. Law enforcement located the vehicle and the abductor was arrested and the child was safely rescued. http://www.thepostnewspapers.com/medina/local_news/ar ticle_17807e65-5331-585f-8f19-3321f451f946.html

20. AMBER ALERTS: NORTH CAROLINA A 17-month-old child went missing after being in an unattended vehicle that was stolen. An AMBER Alert was issued that included the activation of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system to cell phones across the state. A college student heard a child crying outside of her apartment complex and recognized the vehicle from the AMBER Alert message on her cell phone. She notified police and the child was safely rescued by law enforcement. http://myfox8.com/2013/08/30/police- searching-for-17-month-old-kidnapped- high-point/ WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: August 29, 2013, High Point, NC

21. AMBER ALERTS: PENNSYLVANIA WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: August 30, 2013, West Reading, PA Two girls, ages six and eight, were abducted at gunpoint by their father after a domestic dispute. An AMBER Alert was issued that included the activation of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system to cell phones. A guest at a hotel recognized the vehicle from the AMBER Alert message on his phone and notified police. The abductor was arrested the children were rescued safely. http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/2329 7289/amber-alert-issued-for-2-west- reading-girl

22. AMBER ALERTS: OKLAHOMA An AMBER Alert was issued when a 2- year-old boy was abducted by his non- custodial father who had a violent history. A fisherman found the vehicle parked near a pond early the following morning. He recognized it from AMBER Alert notifications he received through Facebook, a Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) message on his cell phone, and media coverage. He called police and watched the vehicle until they arrived. Police were able to break the window of the vehicle and rescue the child. The abductor was arrested. WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: September 4, 2013, Tulsa, OK http://www.news9.com/story/23346951/sperry-man-describes-finding- toddler-in-tulsa-amber-alert

23. AMBER ALERTS: FLORIDA WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: December 27, 2013, Jacksonville, FL A 6-year-old child was abducted by her non-custodial mother who was believed to be a danger to the child due to her mental history. An AMBER Alert was activated in Florida and then extending into Georgia. Citizens recognized the vehicle based on cell phone messages from the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and a digital billboard that provided information about the AMBER Alert. They followed the vehicle and called 911. Minutes later, police located the vehicle and the child was safely rescued. http://www.macon.com/2013/12/30/2855089/amber- alert-ends-with-perry-traffic.html

24. AMBER ALERTS: VIRGINIA “We have investigated the WEA that was activated in Virginia on February 19, 2014, looking for Amiyah Dallas. We have discovered that the WEA was a vital component that led to Amiyah’s recovery. As a result of the WEA, a caller called our fifth division headquarters stating that he had given a ride to Amiyah and her abductor. After receiving the WEA he realized who they and called and giving their location which was exactly where they were located. We also had a truck driver stop at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to report the location after receiving the alert on the phone. We are very pleased and proud at the results of the WEA. Its use was vital in the recovery of Amiyah within minutes of its activation. Just hope that others experience the same success as we have had in this activation. Sincerely, First Sergeant K. Scott Downs Virginia State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Division WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ACTION: February 19, 2014, Orange County, VA http://wtvr.com/2014/02/19/amiyah-dallas-amber- alert/