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  2. BlackBerry AtHoc
  3. BlackBerry AtHoc Integrations
  4. IPAWS Alerts User Guide
  5. Send and Receive IPAWS Alerts
  6. Send a test alert to public alerting devices

Send a test alert to public alerting devices

You can create and send alerts to the public using standard alert processes. You can select a map shape to specify which FIPS codes are selected for the IPAWS public alert devices such as, NMEW, EAS, WEA, and WEA 2.0.
Public alerting devices are activated by geolocation. When you target by location (with a map shape), FIPS codes are automatically appended to the alert and sent to FEMA.
  1. Log in to the 
    BlackBerry AtHoc
     management system as an administrator.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • On the 
      BlackBerry AtHoc
       homepage, in the 
      Quick Publish
       section, click 
      Create a Blank Alert
      .
    • In the navigation bar, click the 
      Alerts
       > 
      New Alert
      . On the 
      New Alert
       screen, click an existing alert to edit an alert template or click 
      Create a Blank Alert
      .
  3. On the 
    New Alert
     screen, enter the title and content of the alert in the 
    Content
     section.
  4. Select the severity and type of the alert.
  5. In the 
    Location
     field, click 
    Add
    .
  6. On the map that appears, use the drawing tools to specify an alert location and click 
    Apply
    .
  7. In the 
    Mass Devices
     section, select one or more IPAWS public devices. For example, IPAWS EAS.
    You must select an area on the map in the Content section to activate the IPAWS public alert devices. If you do not, warnings appear next to the selected devices.
  8. Click 
    Options
     in the 
    Mass Devices
     section.
  9. On the 
    Mass Devices Options
     screen, complete the following steps:
    1. Select the tab for the device you need to customize.
    2. Select an 
      Event Type
       from the list.
    3. Optionally, select a 
      Severity
       from the list. The default is Severe.
    4. Optionally, select a 
      Certainty
       from the list. The default is Observed.
    5. Optionally, select an 
      Urgency
       from the list. The default is Immediate.
    6. Select a response type from the 
      Response Types
       list. This option tells the public how to respond to the alert.
      Before sending an alert to the public, test it thoroughly to avoid providing confidential, confusing, or incorrect information.
    7. Select an 
      IPAWS Alert Content
       option.
      If you are sending an alert to both your team and to the public, you can customize the text for public recipients. For example, you send an alert to your emergency team with instructions for where to report for work. You would customize text for the general public to alert them to the situation without providing work instructions.
      • For NWEM and EAS, you can choose between the alert title and body text or custom text.
      • For WEA, you can choose between the alert title text, custom text, or the FEMA text. If you have authorization from FEMA, you can use Commercial Mobile Alert Message (CMAM) content. Choose one of the following:
        • Use FEMA Standard Text
          : Use text provided by the FEMA template.
        • Use Text from Title of Alert
          : Use the title text from the alert Content section. This is the default.
        • Custom Text
          : Enter alert content that is appropriate for public alerts. You must have CMAM authorization from FEMA.
        WEA has a text limit of 100 characters.
      • For WEA 2.0, you can choose between the alert title text or custom text. Choose one of the following:
        • Use Text from Title of Alert
          : Use the title text from the alert Content section. This is the default.
        • Custom Text
          : Enter alert content that is appropriate for public alerts.
          Choose one of the following options:
          • English 
          • English and Spanish
        WEA 2.0 has a text limit of 360 characters for each custom text entry.
  10. Click 
    Apply
    .
  11. Click 
    Review & Publish
     to review the alert.
  12. Click 
    Publish
     to send the alert.
The severity you selected in the IPAWS device options is not the severity that is displayed on the Review and Publish page. The severity displayed on the Review and Publish page is the severity of the delivered IPAWS alert.