Washington - Dec 22, 2011 - FEMA has launched an online course to provide basic information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to authorized public safety officials. Course attendees will learn the benefits of using IPAWS for effective public warnings; learn the skills to draft more appropriate, effective, and accessible warning messages; and best practices in the effective use of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) to reach all members of their communities.

The course, titled IS-247, has three lessons and is designed for emergency managers, law enforcement officials, fire department personnel, dispatch personnel (911), National Weather Service (NWS) personnel, and other authorized centers (according to a State's EAS plan, State emergency plan, Amber Plan/Amber Alert). Broadcasters could attend the course to learn what emergency managers would be expected to know.