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. 4d ago

    What Every Emergency Manager Needs to Know About Alerting and Warnings

    What separates good emergency alerts from life-saving emergency alerts? In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Dr. Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Thomas Walmsley, Director of Emergency Management for Bernalillo County, New Mexico, and the 2024 IAEM USA Emergency Manager of the Year. With more than two decades of experience spanning military service, law enforcement, local government, federal programs, and academic research, Tom shares how modern emergency managers can leverage data, AI, and evidence-based messaging to improve warning systems and community resilience. The conversation explores practical lessons learned from real-world incidents, the future of alerting standards, multilingual communication challenges, and how emergency managers can use tools like ChatGPT and AI to develop stronger message templates and better preparedness programs. In This Episode: - How Tom Walmsley became IAEM's Emergency Manager of the Year - Building stronger emergency alerts using research and templates - Using AI and ChatGPT in emergency management - IPAWS and Wireless Emergency Alerts best practices - Cross-jurisdictional support and mutual aid agreements - Pace planning and alert system redundancy - GIS, Esri, and demographic intelligence - Bilingual emergency alerts and Spanish-language messaging - Evacuation planning and transportation considerations - National standards for emergency management - EMAP accreditation and professionalization of emergency management - Lessons learned from alerting mistakes - How data-driven decision-making improves public safety Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety professional, PIO, researcher, first responder, or simply interested in disaster preparedness, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately.

    1 hr

  2. Jun 6

    5 Essential Elements Every Emergency Management Agency Needs

    Emergency alerts and warnings can save lives—but only when organizations have clear, effective policies guiding their decisions. In this episode of The Alerting Authority podcast, emergency communication experts Dr. Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola discuss why alerting policies are often overlooked, how weak or outdated policies create operational risks, and what agencies can do to strengthen their public warning programs. Eddie introduces the Alerting Policy Maturity Spectrum, a framework that helps organizations evaluate where they currently stand—from having no policy at all to maintaining a fully integrated, regularly tested, and continuously improved alerting program. The discussion highlights common challenges such as outdated documentation, verbal agreements, fragmented procedures, copied policies that don't fit local needs, and policies that exist only on paper. The episode then dives into five essential policy elements every alerting authority should address:  Geographic targeting strategies to avoid over-alerting and alert fatigue.  Timing and quiet-hour considerations for effective public warning delivery.  Approval authority structures that prevent delays during rapidly evolving emergencies.  Training requirements that build confidence through realistic exercises and scenarios.  Ensuring policies reflect operational reality and the unique needs of each jurisdiction. Through real-world examples involving missing persons, hazardous materials incidents, flooding, severe weather, and public safety alerts, listeners gain practical insights into developing policies that support faster decisions, improve accountability, and enhance community safety. This episode is especially valuable for emergency managers, public information officers, dispatch supervisors, public safety communications professionals, warning coordinators, emergency operations personnel, and government leaders responsible for emergency notification systems, IPAWS, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), Emergency Alert System (EAS), and crisis communication planning.

    52 min

  3. May 28

    How Colleges Handle Emergency Alerts for 60,000+ People | Campus Safety & Crisis Communication

    In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Stuart Moffatt, Director of Emergency Management at the University of Utah, to explore the unique challenges of campus emergency communication, public safety planning, and crisis response in higher education. From football games with 60,000 fans to healthcare operations, research facilities, student housing, and active threat preparedness, Stuart explains how the University of Utah functions like a city within a city — and what it takes to keep that population informed and safe. The conversation dives into: Emergency management in higher educationCampus alert systems and SMS emergency notificationsActive threat communication strategiesStandard Response Protocol (SRP) implementationWarning Lexicon research and protective action messagingCrisis communication for students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitorsEvent safety planning for college football and large public gatheringsLessons learned from COVID-19 response operationsBuilding trust in emergency alerts and public safety systemsStuart also shares his fascinating journey from multimedia design and software development into emergency management after Hurricane Katrina inspired a career change. Whether you work in emergency management, higher education, public safety, or crisis communications, this episode offers practical insights into modern alerting strategies and the future of campus preparedness. Subscribe for more conversations on emergency alerts, crisis communication, disaster preparedness, and public safety leadership. #EmergencyManagement #CampusSafety #CrisisCommunication #UniversityOfUtah #PublicSafety #EmergencyAlerts #HigherEducation #AlertingAuthority #WarningLexicon #EmergencyPreparedness

    1h 4m

  4. May 21

    AMBER Alerts Explained: How They Work, Why They Matter, and How Better Messaging Saves Lives

    In this powerful and deeply informative episode of Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola break down everything you need to know about AMBER Alerts: how they work, why they’re issued, and how effective messaging can mean the difference between life and death. Eddie Bertola, a veteran law enforcement officer and national subject matter expert, shares firsthand experience from decades of working AMBER Alerts and missing person cases. Together, they unpack the tragic story of Amber Hagerman, the origins of the AMBER Alert system, and the critical role of timing, communication, and public engagement in successful recoveries. This episode also dives into:  The difference between AMBER Alerts and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)  Why some cases qualify, and others don’t  Common mistakes that lead to public confusion and opt-outs  How poor messaging can reduce effectiveness  Proven strategies for writing clear, actionable emergency alerts  The importance of geographic targeting and avoiding over-alerting You’ll also hear a real case where a correctly used alert system helped locate a missing autistic child, highlighting why understanding these tools matters. Whether you're in law enforcement, emergency management, public safety communications, or just want to understand how these alerts impact your community, this episode delivers critical insight grounded in both research and real-world experience. Sponsored by The Warn Room Turn disaster science into life-saving action with expert training, consulting, and message templates designed for real-world emergencies.

    59 min

  5. May 14

    The Truth About False Alarms & Emergency Warnings | Alerting Authority Podcast

    What happens when people stop trusting emergency alerts? Do “false alarms” actually make communities less safe—or is the problem more complicated than we think? In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with disaster researcher Dr. Joe Trainor (University of Delaware) to break down the science behind false alarms, trust, and human behavior in emergencies. Drawing on decades of research—from Hurricane Katrina to global disaster response—Dr. Trainor explains how people really interpret alerts, why the “cry wolf” theory is often misunderstood, and what emergency managers can do to improve communication and save lives. 🔎 What You’ll Learn:  What a “false alarm” actually means (and why people define it differently)  The truth about the cry wolf effect in emergency warnings  How trust in authorities impacts whether people take action  Why alert systems are a trade-off between over-warning and under-warning How modern tools like Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and AI could reshape alerting  What makes an effective emergency message (and what most get wrong) 🎙️ About Our Guest Dr. Joe Trainor is Interim Dean and Professor at the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration (University of Delaware) and a leading expert in disaster science, risk perception, and emergency decision-making. His work has supported FEMA, DHS, the National Weather Service, and more. 🤝 Sponsored by Everbridge This episode is sponsored by Everbridge, a global leader in critical event management. Everbridge helps over 6,500 organizations worldwide:  Keep people safe  Reduce operational disruption  Build digital and physical resilience Their AI-powered platform enables organizations to anticipate, mitigate, respond to, and recover from critical events. 👉 Learn more: https://www.everbridge.com 📢 Join the Conversation We want to hear from YOU—your challenges, success stories, and questions about alerting and emergency communication. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share  💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments  🔔 Follow for more episodes on emergency management & public safety

    1h 8m

  6. May 11

    From 9/11 to FEMA IPAWS: Jen Meyers on Emergency Alerts, Alert Fatigue & Public Trust in Crisis

    In this powerful episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with emergency communications expert Jen Meyers to explore the evolving world of emergency alerts, FEMA IPAWS, public warning systems, and crisis communication. With more than 25 years of experience in public safety, Jen shares her journey from 911 dispatcher to supporting over 2,200 alerting authorities nationwide through FEMA IPAWS Technical Support Services. She discusses how her experience during the September 11 Pentagon attack shaped her perspective on emergency communication, preparedness, interoperability, and public trust. This episode dives deep into: -FEMA IPAWS and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) -Over-alerting and alert fatigue -Emergency communication best practices -Public trust in emergency alerts -Message quality during disasters -Geo-targeting and warning coordination -Access and functional needs populations -Active assailant alerting -Cross-jurisdiction communication failures -Emergency management training and preparedness -Why alerting authorities need more research and better policy integration Jen, Jeannette, and Eddie also discuss the growing importance of plain language messaging, why jargon in alerts can create dangerous confusion, and how agencies can better prepare for high-pressure incidents before disaster strikes. Whether you work in emergency management, public safety, emergency communications, higher education, law enforcement, weather warning, or homeland security, this episode delivers critical insight into the future of alerting and warning systems. A special thank you to our sponsor, HQE Systems , for supporting this episode. HQE Systems helps agencies simplify and unify emergency alerting, mass notification systems, outdoor warning sirens, IPAWS integration, and crisis communication workflows through streamlined technology designed for real-world emergencies. Subscribe, review, and share The Alerting Authority to help strengthen emergency communication nationwide.

    56 min

  7. Apr 30

    Why Emergency Alerts Fail: Craig Fugate on Public Warning Mistakes - Alerting Authority Rewind

    This episode is a rewind from our very first premiere of The Alerting Authority. In this debut conversation, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for a candid, no-nonsense look at the real challenges facing emergency alerting in the United States. Fugate explains why most alerting failures aren’t caused by technology—but by people. He emphasizes the need for emergency managers to be trained, confident, and ready to issue immediate warnings when every second counts. The discussion explores the critical differences between notifications, alerts, and true warnings, the dangers of relying too heavily on opt-in systems, and why consistent training and message practice are essential to saving lives. Whether you’re an emergency manager, public safety leader, alert originator, or crisis communication professional, this episode delivers practical insights to help build a more effective, resilient public warning system.

    37 min

  8. Apr 23

    Inside New York’s Missing Persons Alert Overhaul with Tim Williams

    How do you write a missing persons alert that actually gets the public to respond? In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Tim Williams, Program Manager of the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse, to explore how New York is rethinking missing persons messaging, public alerting, and effective communication. This conversation goes deep into the science behind alert wording, why plain language matters, and how thoughtful messaging can increase public engagement, reduce confusion, and improve outcomes in missing and endangered person cases. Topics include:  How New York reduced alert activation time from hours to minutes  Why “boilerplate” alert messages often fall short  The shift from template-based alerts to skill-based message design  The research behind effective missing persons messaging  Why over-alerting and too many alert names can create confusion  Removing jargon and using plain language the public understands  How New York approaches privacy, dignity, and behavioral descriptions in alerts  Whether details like eye color, vehicle models, and alert labels actually matter  Stakeholder collaboration with broadcasters, emergency managers, DOT, and law enforcement  Public trust, community empowerment, and the future of missing persons alerting Tim also shares how the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse is setting a national example through policy innovation, public awareness efforts, and evidence-based messaging practices. If you work in emergency management, public warning, law enforcement, missing persons investigations, or crisis communication, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. Subscribe for more conversations on alerting, warning, emergency communication, and public safety. #MissingPersons #EmergencyAlerting #PublicWarning #CrisisCommunication #WirelessEmergencyAlerts

    1h 3m
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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
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Alerting Authority
  • Show Website
    The Alerting Authority

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