The Alerting Authority

Eddie Bertola and Jeannette Sutton
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Society & Culture

The Alerting Authority is a podcast dedicated to improving how we warn the public when seconds matter. Hosted by Jeanette Sutton, a leading researcher in public alerts and warnings, and Eddie Bertola, an expert in emergency communications technology, the show brings together practitioners, policymakers, technologists, and thought leaders shaping the future of public alerting. Each episode dives deep into real-world challenges behind creating, issuing, and delivering life-saving alerts. From Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to IPAWS implementation, crisis messaging, public behavior, and alerting policy, the hosts explore what works, what fails, and why. Rather than focusing solely on tools or software, The Alerting Authority examines the “human side” of emergency communication—decision-making under pressure, message design, training gaps, coordination across agencies, and the psychology of how people interpret warnings. The podcast aims to empower emergency managers, communicators, and public safety professionals with actionable insights, practical guidance, and candid conversations with the people who have shaped, studied, and experienced alerting at every level. Whether you’re responsible for issuing alerts, designing systems, researching risk communication, or simply interested in how warnings save lives, The Alerting Authority is your go-to source for understanding and improving public alerting in a complex and rapidly evolving world.

  1. 1d ago

    CAPCOG 2026 Recap: The Biggest Alerting & Warning Lessons from Texas

    What happens when emergency managers, public safety leaders, universities, public health officials, law enforcement, and alerting authorities from across Texas come together for two days of intensive training? In this episode of  The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola break down their experience at CAPCOG 2026, where they trained professionals from across Texas on emergency communications, alerting policies, message design, public warning research, and real-world emergency scenarios. Topics include: ✅ Why "we'll figure it out when something happens" is not an emergency communication strategy ✅ Building alerting policies that work under pressure ✅ The importance of emergency authorization and reducing notification delays ✅ Cross-jurisdictional coordination and mutual aid agreements ✅ Message design based on scientific research ✅ The Warning Lexicon, Post-Alert Lexicon, and Message Design Dashboard ✅ Active shooter communication strategies ✅ Writing effective all-clear messages ✅ Supporting access and functional needs populations ✅ Practical exercises that improved confidence and reduced fear among alerting professionals The discussion highlights how training, preparation, and evidence-based practices help communities communicate more effectively during emergencies. Participants worked through real-world scenarios ranging from severe weather to active threats while learning how to craft clear, actionable warning messages. Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety professional, dispatcher, university official, or anyone responsible for crisis communications, this episode offers valuable lessons that can improve your alerting program. To learn more about what was discussed and what you can do to better understand alerting checkout TheWarnRoom.com and TheAlertingAuthority.com #AlertingAuthority #EmergencyManagement #PublicSafety #EmergencyAlerts #CAPCOG #WirelessEmergencyAlerts #EmergencyCommunications #CrisisCommunication #AlertWarning #EmergencyPreparedness

  2. Aug 13

    Crisis Communication, AI, and Public Trust: What Alerting Authorities Can Learn from Dr. Tim Coombs

    What happens when emergency alerts fail, misinformation spreads, or organizations lose public trust during a crisis? In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Dr. W. Timothy Coombs, one of the most cited crisis communication scholars in the world and creator of the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). The conversation explores the relationship between crisis communication, disasters, alerts, warnings, and organizational accountability. Dr. Coombs explains how effective communication brings crisis management plans to life and why instructing and adjusting information are critical to protecting the public. Using real-world examples including the Hawaii false missile alert, the Paradise Fire, and the Los Angeles wildfire alert failures, the discussion examines what organizations can learn when communication systems break down. The episode also tackles one of the biggest emerging challenges in emergency management: artificial intelligence. Dr. Coombs shares his perspective on AI-generated messaging, the risks of overreliance on automation, the importance of maintaining communication skills, and why meaningful human involvement remains essential in crisis communication. Topics include:  Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT)  Accountability and public trust during crises  Lessons from the Hawaii false missile alert  Paradise Fire communication challenges  Los Angeles wildfire alert failures  Over-alerting and public response  Crisis communication training and preparedness  AI in emergency messaging and public warning  Human-in-the-loop communication systems  Research, peer review, and the future of crisis communication Whether you're an emergency manager, public information officer, alerting practitioner, researcher, or communicator, this episode offers valuable insights into how organizations can communicate more effectively when the stakes are highest.

  3. Aug 6

    Wireless Emergency Alerts Explained with Rob Dale

    What emergency managers see when they send an alert isn't always what the public receives. In this episode of Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton, Eddie Bertola, and special guest Rob Dale explore how Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) appear on different devices and why those differences matter. The discussion dives into PBS Warn, message design, alert effectiveness, and common mistakes emergency managers make when creating warning messages. Rob shares insights from reviewing thousands of alerts across the country, highlighting both best practices and recurring issues that can impact public understanding and response. The conversation also examines how WEA has evolved from 90-character messages to today's richer capabilities, including longer messages, links, and future enhancements. Emergency managers, public information officers, and alerting professionals will gain practical guidance for improving warning messages and better reaching their communities. Topics Covered:  Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)  PBS Warn  Emergency alert message design  Public warning best practices  Alerting and warning research  Emergency management communications  Mobile alert differences between Apple and Android  Public safety messaging  IPAWS and WEA evolution  Crisis communication Rob Dale discusses how PBS Warn allows alerting professionals to review and evaluate emergency alerts issued across the country, helping identify strengths and weaknesses in warning messages.  The episode also explores how WEA has evolved from the original 90-character limitation to 360-character alerts with expanded capabilities, improving opportunities for effective public warning. This episode is sponsored by HQE Systems. Visit them at HQEsystems.com

  4. Jul 30

    AI Taking Over? How AI is Changing the World of Alerting

    Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way emergency managers, public information officers, and alerting authorities communicate with the public. But should we trust AI with emergency alerts and crisis communication? In this special panel discussion, Jeannette Sutton, Eddie Bertola, and Dan Stoneking explore the growing role of AI in emergency management, public warning systems, and crisis communications. Drawing from research, field experience, and communications expertise, they discuss the opportunities, risks, and realities of integrating AI into emergency alerting. Topics include: - Generative AI vs. traditional AI tools - How emergency managers are already using AI - AI-generated emergency alerts and warning messages - Trust, credibility, and human oversight - The future of public information officers - Message design, warning science, and alert effectiveness - Why AI should be viewed as a tool—not a replacement Whether you're an emergency manager, PIO, researcher, dispatcher, or public safety professional, this conversation offers valuable insight into one of the biggest technological shifts facing the alerting community. #EmergencyManagement #AI #CrisisCommunication #PublicSafety #EmergencyAlerts #IPAWS #AlertingAuthority #ArtificialIntelligence #PIO #EmergencyCommunications

  5. Jul 23

    How Better Translations Could Save Lives During Disasters

    In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Dr. Joseph Trujillo-Falcón, a leading researcher in multilingual risk communication and emergency alerts. Joseph shares his journey from immigrating to the United States from Peru to becoming one of the nation's foremost experts on language equity in weather warnings. The discussion explores how emergency messages are translated, why certain warning terms can create confusion, and how artificial intelligence is helping agencies like NOAA and the National Weather Service improve multilingual communication. The conversation covers: • The challenges of translating tornado warnings and weather alerts • Why direct translations often fail during emergencies • AI-powered weather warning translation systems • Language equity in public safety communication • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and multilingual messaging • How local agencies can better reach diverse communities • The future of emergency communication for the 2028 Olympics and beyond Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety professional, meteorologist, researcher, or simply interested in how technology can help save lives, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of alerting and warning systems. Guest: Dr. Joseph Trujillo-Falcón Topics: AI Translation, NOAA, National Weather Service, Emergency Alerts, Risk Communication, Public Safety, Weather Warnings, Language Equity, Wireless Emergency Alerts, Emergency Management. This episode is sponsored by HQE Systems.  #EmergencyManagement #PublicSafety #RiskCommunication #AITranslation #LanguageAccess

  6. Jul 16

    From Disney to Disaster Response | The Story of Eddie Bertola

    Who is Eddie Bertola? In this special episode of The Alerting Authority Podcast, Dr. Jeannette Sutton turns the tables and interviews co-host Eddie Bertola, one of the nation's leading experts on emergency alerts, AMBER Alerts, crisis communication, and public warning systems. Discover the personal story behind the public safety leader as Eddie shares how growing up in California led him into law enforcement, his career with the California Highway Patrol, and how he helped modernize emergency alerting technology across the United States. Along the way, you'll also learn why he's passionate about Disney, why Mexican Coca-Cola is his favorite drink, how six goats became part of his life, and the lessons he learned as a hostage negotiator that anyone can use in everyday communication. In this episode you'll discover: - Eddie Bertola's journey into law enforcement - How California's AMBER Alert program evolved - The future of emergency alerts and public warning systems - Behind-the-scenes stories from hostage negotiations - California Highway Patrol career experiences - How Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) have changed lives - The importance of policy, preparedness, and alerting standards - Disney, Coca-Cola, goats, family, and life outside emergency management Whether you're an emergency manager, dispatcher, first responder, public information officer, emergency communications professional, or simply interested in public safety, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the industry's most recognized voices. Subscribe for more conversations about: -Emergency Management -Public Safety -AMBER Alerts -IPAWS -Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) -Crisis Communication -Disaster Preparedness -Warning Science -Public Information -Emergency Alert Systems 🎙️ Every Second Has a Story. #EmergencyManagement #AmberAlert #PublicSafety #IPAWS #WirelessEmergencyAlerts #CrisisCommunication #EmergencyAlerts #LawEnforcement #CaliforniaHighwayPatrol #HostageNegotiation #AlertingAuthority

  7. Jul 10

    Right Message, Right Time: Martin Ritchey on Emergency Alerts, Texas Floods, IPAWS and Everbridge

    How do emergency managers make sure the right people get the right message at the right time? In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Martin Ritchey, Director of Homeland Security at the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), to discuss emergency notification systems, IPAWS, Everbridge, warning fatigue, emergency preparedness, flash flood response, and lessons learned from major disasters across Texas. Martin shares how CAPCOG built one of the most successful regional alerting programs in the country through WarnCentralTexas.org, achieving exceptional community participation and improving emergency communication capabilities across a 10-county region. The conversation explores the importance of emergency alerts, public warning systems, crisis communication, emergency management training, disaster response, resilience planning, and how technology can help save lives during critical incidents. From devastating Texas floods and Winter Storm Uri to aviation disasters and emergency notification best practices, this episode offers valuable insights for emergency managers, public safety officials, alerting authorities, and anyone interested in disaster preparedness and community resilience. This episode of The Alerting Authority is proudly sponsored by Everbridge. When emergencies happen, every second matters. Everbridge helps organizations ensure the right people receive the right information at the right time. Trusted by more than 6,500 organizations worldwide, Everbridge's High Velocity Critical Event Management (CEM) platform combines advanced technology and purpose-built AI to help organizations anticipate risks, communicate during crises, and recover faster from critical events. Whether facing severe weather, operational disruptions, cybersecurity incidents, or large-scale emergencies, Everbridge provides leaders with the tools and confidence needed to make informed decisions when it matters most. From government agencies and public safety organizations to businesses and healthcare systems, Everbridge helps protect people, assets, and operations through industry-leading emergency communication and resilience solutions. Learn how Everbridge is helping organizations build safer, more resilient communities by delivering the right message at the right time at www.everbridge.com

  8. Jul 2

    Walking Across England: 210 Miles on the Coast to Coast Trail | Travel, Hiking & Emergency Preparedness

    What is it really like to walk across England? In this special episode of Alerting Authority, Dr. Jeannette Sutton shares the incredible story of hiking 210 miles across England on the legendary Alfred Wainwright Coast to Coast Trail. Over 15 days, she and her husband crossed three national parks, visited charming English villages, climbed rugged mountains, navigated changing weather, and completed one of the world's most iconic long-distance hiking routes. Along the way, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola discuss:  The England Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay)  Hiking through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors  Travel planning and luggage transfer services  Navigation, trail markers, maps, and hiking apps  Weather preparedness and hiking safety  Traveling internationally during major events like FIFA  Emergency alerts, communication, and tourism safety  Highland cows, sheep, English pubs, castles, and historic abbeys  Lessons about teamwork, resilience, and adventure Whether you're planning your own England hiking vacation, looking for Coast to Coast Trail tips, or interested in travel safety and emergency communication, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring stories from one unforgettable journey. Subscribe to Alerting Authority for conversations about emergency management, public safety, alerts and warnings, crisis communication, and preparedness—along with the occasional adventure that teaches valuable lessons along the way. #CoastToCoastWalk #EnglandHiking #AlfredWainwright #LakeDistrict #YorkshireDales #TravelEngland #HikingAdventure #LongDistanceHiking #EmergencyManagement #Preparedness #TravelSafety #AlertingAuthority

See All (41)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Alerting Authority is a podcast dedicated to improving how we warn the public when seconds matter. Hosted by Jeanette Sutton, a leading researcher in public alerts and warnings, and Eddie Bertola, an expert in emergency communications technology, the show brings together practitioners, policymakers, technologists, and thought leaders shaping the future of public alerting. Each episode dives deep into real-world challenges behind creating, issuing, and delivering life-saving alerts. From Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to IPAWS implementation, crisis messaging, public behavior, and alerting policy, the hosts explore what works, what fails, and why. Rather than focusing solely on tools or software, The Alerting Authority examines the “human side” of emergency communication—decision-making under pressure, message design, training gaps, coordination across agencies, and the psychology of how people interpret warnings. The podcast aims to empower emergency managers, communicators, and public safety professionals with actionable insights, practical guidance, and candid conversations with the people who have shaped, studied, and experienced alerting at every level. Whether you’re responsible for issuing alerts, designing systems, researching risk communication, or simply interested in how warnings save lives, The Alerting Authority is your go-to source for understanding and improving public alerting in a complex and rapidly evolving world.

Information

  • Creator
    Eddie Bertola and Jeannette Sutton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Alerting Authority
  • Show Website
    The Alerting Authority

You Might Also Like