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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Jun 25

    Alerts, Cats, and Ice Cream: Getting to Know Jeannette Sutton

    Who is Dr. Jeannette Sutton, and how did she become one of the most influential voices in emergency alerting and warning research? In this special episode of The Alerting Authority, co-host Eddie Bertola turns the tables and interviews Dr. Jeannette Sutton about her personal journey, professional influences, and vision for the future of emergency communication. From her early work as a chaplain and victim advocate following the Columbine tragedy to conducting rapid-response research after 9/11, Dr. Sutton shares the experiences that shaped her career in disaster research, risk communication, and public warning systems. She discusses the mentors who influenced her, including Dennis Mileti and Kathleen Tierney, and reflects on groundbreaking research involving social media, disaster communication, and public response to emergencies. The conversation also explores:  The evolution of emergency alerting and warning systems  Why research and real-world emergency management often struggle to connect  Common mistakes in emergency alerts and warning messages  The importance of plain language communication  Public trust, alert fatigue, and over-alerting  The future of AI-generated emergency alerts  New warning standards and best practices  The Warning Bootcamp and improving message design  Dr. Sutton’s life outside of academia, including quilting, birdwatching, hiking, and endurance trail events Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety communicator, researcher, student, or simply interested in how life-saving alerts are designed, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the field’s leading experts. Every second has a story—and today, you’ll hear Dr. Jeannette Sutton’s.

  7. Jun 18

    Alert Fails and Successes: Lessons from Hawaii, Texas Blue Alerts, Amber Alerts, and Wildfire Evacuations | Alerting Authority Podcast

    What makes an emergency alert effective—and what causes public confusion, panic, or frustration? In this episode of The Alerting Authority, emergency communication experts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola analyze some of the most memorable emergency alerts ever sent. From the infamous Hawaii ballistic missile false alarm to controversial Texas Blue Alerts, poorly written Amber Alerts, wildfire evacuation messages, and successful missing child alerts, they break down what worked, what failed, and what emergency managers can learn from each case. Discover how message structure, location specificity, timing, jargon, abbreviations, public trust, evacuation warnings, and all-clear notifications impact public response during emergencies. Learn best practices for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), IPAWS messaging, wildfire evacuations, Amber Alerts, Blue Alerts, and public warning systems. Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety professional, dispatcher, communications specialist, or researcher, this episode provides practical lessons on creating clear, actionable, and effective emergency alerts that save lives. Topics Covered:  Hawaii ballistic missile alert false alarm  Texas Blue Alert controversy  Amber Alert messaging failures  Missing child alert success stories  Wildfire evacuation messaging best practices  IPAWS and Wireless Emergency Alerts  Public warning research and communication strategies  Emergency management training and policy development  How to reduce confusion and increase public action during crisesThis episode is sponsored by HQE systems. Learn more at HQEsystems.com

  8. Jun 11

    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.

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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
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Alerting Authority
  • Show Website
    The Alerting Authority