The Alerting Authority

Eddie Bertola and Jeannette Sutton

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. 2D AGO

    Missing Persons Alerts Explained: AMBER, Ashanti & WEA—What Works, What Fails, and What Saves Lives | Sponsored by Everbridge

    In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with veteran alerting leader Carri Gordon to break down the evolution, effectiveness, and future of missing persons alerts. With nearly 35 years of experience in emergency communications and public safety, Carri shares her journey from early dispatch operations—long before modern alerting systems—to leading statewide alert programs and now serving as a national subject matter expert on the Ashanti Alert initiative. This episode dives deep into:  How AMBER Alerts evolved from manual processes to real-time notifications  The critical role of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in saving lives  Why actionable information matters more than awareness alone  The truth about alert criteria, delays, and decision-making How the Ashanti Alert Act is transforming missing adult alerting nationwide  Lessons learned from real cases—both successful recoveries and tragic outcomes  Why the public should never disable emergency alerts on their phonesYou’ll also hear firsthand stories of alerts leading to recoveries within minutes—and the hard lessons that reshaped how alerting authorities operate today. Whether you’re in emergency management, law enforcement, public safety communications, or simply want to understand how these systems protect communities, this episode provides expert insight into the science, strategy, and human impact behind every alert. 🎙️ Sponsored by Everbridge This episode is proudly sponsored by Everbridge, a global leader in critical event management (CEM). Trusted by over 6,500 organizations worldwide, Everbridge helps governments and enterprises anticipate, respond to, and recover from critical events using powerful, AI-driven alerting and resilience solutions.

    58 min

  2. APR 2

    Do Alerts Really Work? RAND Study Part II | Who Gets Missed, Opt-Outs, & Alert Fatigue Explained

    In Part II of our deep dive into the groundbreaking RAND national alerting study, we go beyond the headline stat that 91% of Americans received the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and uncover the real story: who didn’t—and why it matters. Host Jeannette Sutton is joined again by RAND researchers Rachel Steratore and Andy Parker to explore critical gaps in emergency alert systems, including:  Why rural communities are less likely to receive alerts  How age, device type, and mobile carriers impact delivery  The surprising truth about opt-out behavior (especially among younger and lower-income users)  The role of awareness, trust, and alert fatigue in public response  How disability, language, and accessibility factor into alert effectiveness  Why “sending the alert” doesn’t guarantee people actually receive—or act on—it This episode also tackles one of the biggest unanswered questions in emergency communication: Do alerts actually lead to action? You’ll hear insights on:  The difference between receiving, understanding, and acting on alerts  How risk perception (fear vs. familiarity) shapes behavior  Why education and public awareness are major missing pieces  The future of alerting across devices (phones, watches, smart tech, and more)  What the next generation of research must focus on If you’re an emergency manager, public safety professional, researcher, or just someone curious about how alerts work during real crises—this episode is essential listening. 👉 Watch Part I first for the full context of the RAND study 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help improve public safety awareness

    53 min

  3. MAR 26

    When the Mountain Burned: Inside the Ruidoso Wildfires and the Alert That Saved a Town

    In this gripping episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Eric Queller, Emergency Manager for the mountain community of Ruidoso, to unpack one of the most intense wildfire response operations in recent memory. What began as a routine fire-weather day on June 17, 2024, quickly escalated into a fast-moving disaster as the South Fork and Salt Fires ignited within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), threatening thousands of residents and tens of thousands of seasonal visitors. Within hours, a quiet mountain town of 7,000 surged into crisis mode—with a population nearing 90,000 during peak tourist season. Eric provides a vivid, moment-by-moment account of the day everything changed: from the first call reporting smoke in Upper Canyon, to hearing elite firefighting crews forced to retreat due to extreme fire behavior, to the realization that this was no ordinary incident—but a worst-case scenario unfolding in real time. Listeners are taken inside the Emergency Operations Center as it rapidly escalates from routine monitoring to full Level 1 activation. Eric recounts the weight of critical decisions, including issuing a rare and urgent “GO NOW” evacuation alert that ultimately led to the full evacuation of Ruidoso—something the town had never practiced at scale. This episode dives deep into the realities of modern emergency management, including: -The challenges of protecting a high-risk Wildland-Urban Interface community -Managing a dynamic population with tens of thousands of tourists unfamiliar with local risks -The strengths and limitations of the Ready, Set, Go framework—and why it may fall short in real-world scenarios -How clear, plain-language alerts can cut through confusion and save lives The importance of multi-channel alerting systems, including IPAWS, Wireless  -Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, AM/FM broadcasting, and even door-to-door notifications -The role of local infrastructure—like Ruidoso’s own government-run radio station—in delivering trusted, continuous communication during crisis Eric also shares the emotional and operational intensity of working nearly four straight days without rest, coordinating with state officials, and making high-stakes decisions with incomplete information—all while the fire spread rapidly across rugged terrain. Beyond the fire itself, the conversation foreshadows the cascading disasters that often follow wildfires, including flash flooding risks in burn-scarred landscapes—highlighting why emergency management doesn’t end when the flames go out. This episode is both a masterclass in crisis communication and a sobering reminder of how quickly disasters can escalate—and how critical timely, decisive alerts are in protecting lives.

    58 min

  4. MAR 19

    Training 190 Alert Senders, Preventing WEA Mistakes & Reaching Every Community: Inside San Diego’s Alerting System

    In this episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Dan Vasquez, former Alert & Warning Coordinator for the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, to break down how one region built one of the most coordinated emergency alerting systems in the United States. From wildfires and hurricanes to multilingual communication and accessibility, Dan shares the real story behind: Training 190+ alert originators across 18 cities and a countyPreventing mistakes like the infamous Hawaii false missile alertWriting clear alerts using Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)Coordinating alerts across multiple jurisdictionsReaching multilingual communities with trusted messengersBuilding the Partner Relay network for accessible crisis communicationCreating policies and agreements that took 20 months to finalizeYou’ll also hear how San Diego’s Unified Disaster Council model allows multiple jurisdictions to collaborate on warning systems, funding, and training, something many emergency management agencies are trying to replicate. Plus, Dan explains the work of the Language Accessibility Alert & Warning Workgroup, a national initiative focused on making emergency alerts accessible to everyone, regardless of language, disability, or technology. If you work in emergency management, public safety, crisis communication, or government technology, this episode is packed with real-world lessons on how to deliver alerts that are accurate, timely, and accessible.

    57 min

  5. MAR 12

    Frozen Iguanas, Winter Storm Alerts, WEA Messaging & Emergency Communication Best Practices

    In this episode of the Alerting Authority Podcast, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola discuss winter storm alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), and real-world emergency communication examples from across the United States. From the 2022 Buffalo blizzard to recent extreme cold warnings, the hosts analyze how local emergency managers used alert origination software, warning templates, and public safety messaging to keep communities informed. The episode highlights best practices for emergency alerts, the importance of layered communication, and how agencies can improve preparedness through message templates, training, and planning. Learn how alerting authorities can better serve vulnerable populations, provide shelter information, and use WEA, social media, and local partnerships to deliver life-saving information. Sponsored by HQE Systems — providing next-generation outdoor warning sirens, indoor notification systems, and alert origination software controlled from one platform. Subscribe for more emergency management, public warning, and disaster communication insights.

    44 min

  6. MAR 5

    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

    46 min

  7. FEB 26

    Engagement Before Emergency: Building Buy-In Before Disaster Strikes

    This episode of The Alerting Authority features emergency manager Ashley Morris, whose journey from childhood storm enthusiast in New Mexico to community-focused alerting leader in Central Texas blends meteorology, public engagement, and hands-on system building. Ashley shares how her early dream of working for the National Weather Service evolved into a career in emergency management—where science, social media strategy, and relationship-building intersect. From launching alerting programs from scratch to developing policy across agencies, she discusses what it takes to build confidence, competence, and collaboration around tools like FEMA’s IPAWS. The conversation explores: Growing social media presence from zero followers in a rural, tourism-driven Texas countyPartnering with chambers of commerce, small businesses, and community leaders to amplify messagingLessons learned from larger jurisdictions like Fairfax County and applying them in smaller communitiesThe importance of policy, redundancy, and hands-on training in alerting systemsWhy visibility, trust, and relationships matter just as much as technologyThe future of alerting—from AI and the Internet of Things to flood warning innovations in TexasAshley emphasizes a powerful truth: if emergency management isn’t visible, it doesn’t exist. This episode is packed with practical insights for alerting authorities, PIOs, and emergency managers looking to strengthen trust, improve alerting confidence, and build resilient communities before the next disaster strikes. This episode of The Alerting Authority is brought to by HQE Systems.

    46 min

  8. FEB 19

    Inclusive Emergency Alerting & Access Needs in Disasters with Vance Taylor | Cal OES & Whole Community Leadership

    How can emergency alerts truly reach everyone, especially people with disabilities and access/ functional needs? In this powerful episode, we welcome Vance Taylor, Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Vance shares his personal journey, leadership philosophy, and groundbreaking work to transform inclusive emergency management across California and the nation. We explore: Why timing matters more than perfectly worded alertsThe dangers of disaster registries — and what works betterEnhanced alerting systems and early notification modelsLessons from Winter Storm Uri and disability-focused disaster researchHow alerting authorities can improve messaging todayPlanning with communities, not for themVance also discusses cultural change in emergency management, accessible technology innovation, and the responsibility of alerting authorities to reduce human suffering and loss of life. Whether you're an emergency manager, alerting authority, public safety leader, researcher, or disability advocate, this episode delivers actionable insights on whole community disaster preparedness. This episode is proudly sponsored by HQE Systems: supporting data-driven solutions.

    57 min
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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
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Alerting Authority
  • Show Website
    The Alerting Authority

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