## TOOLKIT OVERVIEW

This toolkit has been developed in partnership with the Bay Area Joint Information System (JIS) with funding and support from the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), and with input and guidance of Alert and Warning program administrators in the Bay Area, and Nusura, Inc. The purpose of the toolkit is to provide program administrators with tools and resources to craft and disseminate alert and warning messages to the public during emergencies, and to engage other agencies and departments in messaging efforts. Toolkit components are designed to be flexible and customizable to meet the unique needs of agencies or departments. This toolkit is consistent with the State of California Alert & Warning Guidelines, which uses these definitions:

- • A public alert is a communication intended to attract public attention to an unusual situation and • A public alert is a communication intended to attract public attention to an unusual situation and motivate individual awareness.
- • public warning is a communication intended to persuade members of the public to take one • public warning is a communication intended to persuade members of the public to take one or more protective actions in order to reduce losses or harm. '

This toolkit is organized in the following manner:

- • I - Bay Area Alert and Warning Programs - This section includes examples of how Bay • I - Bay Area Alert and Warning Programs - This section includes examples of how Bay Area jurisdictions might structure their Alert and Warning Programs. It contains a comparison between traditional Alert and Warning and Public Information functions. It also includes a link to a contact list of program administrators and Alert and Warning opt-in sign up web pages for Bay Area jurisdictions.
- • II - Training and Exercising - This section includes guidance in integrating Alert and • II - Training and Exercising - This section includes guidance in integrating Alert and Warning into local training and exercise plans or calendars. It also has a list of Alert and Warning-related training opportunities and resources.
- • III - Partnerships with Federal Programs - This section includes Frequently Asked • III - Partnerships with Federal Programs - This section includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) and an overview of the National Weather Service/Local Jurisdiction Partnership for Non-Weather Emergency Messages.
- • IV - Alert and Warning Templates and Guidance - This section contains sample Alert • IV - Alert and Warning Templates and Guidance - This section contains sample Alert and Warning message templates, as well as guidance for developing and disseminating accessible alert and warning messages. It also includes a template for an Alert and Warning Quick Reference Guide for local jurisdiction executives.
- • V - Non-Weather Emergency Messaging Partnership - This section explains the • V - Non-Weather Emergency Messaging Partnership - This section explains the partnership with the National Weather Service.
- • VI - Acronyms - This is a list of acronyms found in the toolkit, along with their meanings. • VI - Acronyms - This is a list of acronyms found in the toolkit, along with their meanings.

The current copy of this toolkit is available as part of the Bay Area JIS 's shared document repository. Email bayareajis@gmail.com for access to the shared folder and copies of all Bay Area JIS tools and resources.

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