The Alerting Authority
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.
The Alerting Authority
Are We Over-Alerting? Arkansas Winter Storm WEA Strategy & Building Community Trust
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When severe winter weather hit Arkansas, only one county issued multiple Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Was it over-alerting or a powerful example of proactive leadership?
In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Dr. Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola break down a real-world case study from Calhoun County, Arkansas, where Judge Floyd Nutt sent a series of WEA messages ahead of and during a winter storm. From freezing rain and icy roads to water shortages and access to medical supplies, the messages created a narrative of preparedness, impact communication, and community reassurance.
The hosts explore:
- When should you send a Wireless Emergency Alert for winter weather?
- What constitutes over-alerting vs. effective risk communication?
- How do WEAs impact vulnerable populations, including those with access and functional needs?
- Lessons from Winter Storms and the importance of inclusive alerting
- Message timing, structure (90 vs. 360 characters), and trust-building strategies
- Using IPAWS effectively in rural vs. urban communities
This episode is a must-listen for emergency managers, public safety officials, alert originators, and risk communication professionals looking to improve warning strategy and community engagement.
Subscribe, follow, and join the conversation as we work to make alerting better, and communities safer.
This episode is sponsored by HQEsystems.com.
Also be sure to check out Disabled Power by Angela Frederick at this link: https://nyupress.org/9781479828142/disabled-power/