Inside the FEMA National Alert: Deanne Criswell on Sending the U.S. Emergency Alert

Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joins The Alerting Authority, sponsored by HQE Systems, to discuss what it was really like to send the nationwide IPAWS emergency alert to every phone in the United States.

In this episode, Criswell shares behind-the-scenes insights from the 2023 national emergency alert test, explains how FEMA manages the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), and discusses the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and foreign influence during disasters.

Hosts Eddie Bertola and Dr. Jeannette Sutton explore how emergency managers can build trusted community networks, improve Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messaging, and ensure equitable alerting for diverse populations.

Criswell also reflects on her time leading FEMA, responding to major disasters, and why people-first emergency management and equity are critical to disaster preparedness and recovery.

Topics covered include:

- Sending the national emergency alert to every U.S. phone

- How IPAWS and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) work

- Misinformation and foreign influence during disasters

- Building trusted communication networks in communities

- Equity in emergency management and disaster recovery

- Lessons for local alerting authorities and emergency managers

- The future of public alerting and warning systems

If you work in emergency management, public safety, disaster communications, or crisis response, this episode provides critical insights into the future of public warning systems and disaster communication.

This episode is sponsored by HQEsystems.com