Emergency Alerts

During an emergency, alert and warning officials need to provide the public with life-saving information quickly. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), made available through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) infrastructure, are just one of the ways public safety officials can quickly and effectively alert and warn the public about serious emergencies.

We have used the Cornwall Central School District notification system during emergencies to alert the public to about critical information as their system is the most up to date to keep in touch with parents.

Consider having relatives or close friends register for emergency notifications also to keep them informed during no notice incidents in which you may rely upon them for assistance.  It is also a good idea to register for alerts where your kids attend school and while on travel or vacation.

It would be best if you opt-in for alerts through several systems to ensure you receive the message and type of notifications you wish to receive:

The Town of Cornwall, Orange County, and New York State utilizes NY Alert to notify the public about emergency information.  NY-Alert Emergency Notification System

The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Water Department uses CodeRED which covers all in our community who have municipal water services.  You may receive notification about a water service disruption and other notifications from the mayor’s office, highway department or fire department also.  To sign up for CodeRED visit Cornwall-on-Hudson CodeRED Notification System

Orange County has also implemented the CodeRED Emergency notification system. To sign up for the Orange County CodeRED system visit Orange County CodeRED Emergency Notification System

What you need to know about WEAs:

• WEAs can be sent by state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the President of the United States
• WEAs can be issued for three alert categories – imminent threat, AMBER, and presidential
• WEAs look like text messages, but are designed to get your attention and alert you with a unique sound and vibration, both repeated twice
• WEAs are no more than 90 characters, and will include the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, as well as the agency issuing the alert
• WEAs are not affected by network congestion and will not disrupt texts, calls, or data sessions that are in progress
• Mobile users are not charged for receiving WEAs and there is no need to subscribe
• To ensure your device is WEA-capable, check with your service provider

The IPAWS Program Management Office (PMO) created five, short video clips designed to ensure the American people understand the functions of the public alert and warning system and how to access, use, and respond to information from public safety officials. To learn more about WEAs, take advantage of the educational videos, available at www.fema.gov/ipaws, as well as the products below.

For Kids: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Word Search Puzzle

For Educators: Wireless Emergency Alerts Instructional Materials

Online Training Courses

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Emergency Alert System

• The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), is a modernization and integration of the existing and future alert and warning systems, technologies, and infrastructure nationwide.
• The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, satellite digital audio service and direct broadcast satellite providers, cable television systems, and wireless cable systems to provide the President with a communications capability to address the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency.
• EAS may also be used by state and local authorities, in cooperation with the broadcast community, to deliver important emergency information, such as weather information, imminent threats, AMBER alerts, and local incident information targeted to specific areas.
• The President has sole responsibility for determining when the national-level EAS will be activated. FEMA is responsible for national-level EAS tests and exercises.
• EAS is also used when all other means of alerting the public are unavailable, providing an added layer of resiliency to the suite of available emergency communication tools.

For more information on the Emergency Alert System, download the EAS fact sheet or visithttp://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-system.

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NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service office.

• NWR broadcasts official warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• It also broadcasts alerts of non-weather emergencies such as national security, natural, environmental, and public safety through the Emergency Alert System.

EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM - Lower Hudson Valley

Primary EAS Radio Stations for the Hudson Valley

WLNA 1420 AM WHUD 100.7 FM

Emergency information will also be carried on the following stations:

AM Radio

WOR 710 AM

WABC 770 AM

WCBS 880 AM

WINS 1010 AM

WFAS 1230 AM

FM Radio

WRPJ 88.9 FM

WOSR 91.7 FM

WNYC 93.9 FM

WJGK 103.1

FM Television

WCBS CH 2

WNBC CH 4

WNYW CH 5

WABC CH 7

News 12 Hudson Valley

Note: All radio stations operate 24/7.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Learning Resources

Visit the FEMA Media Library and download these tools:

• Facts and FAQS on Wireless Emergency Alerts
• Images, and videos on Wireless Emergency Alerts
• For Kids: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Word Search
• For Educators: Wireless Emergency Alerts Instructional Materials
• Online Training Courses

Visit the FEMA Library to download Wireless Emergency Alerts PSA (:30)
View "Wireless Emergency Alerts PSA (:30)" on Youtube.