**GAO-09-1044T**                      Published: Sep 30, 2009. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

A comprehensive system to alert the American people in times of hazard allows people to take action to save lives. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for the current Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the development of the new Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). In this testimony, based on its report released today, GAO discusses (1) the current status of EAS, (2) the progress made by FEMA in implementing an integrated alert and warning system, and (3) coordination issues involved in implementing an integrated alert and warning system. GAO conducted a survey of states, reviewed FEMA and other documentation, and interviewed industry stakeholders and officials from federal agencies responsible for public alerting.

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## Topics

Homeland Security

AccountabilityContinuity of operations planEmergency managementEmergency preparednessExecutive ordersGovernment information disseminationLessons learnedLocal governmentsLocally administered programsLogisticsMunicipal governmentsPresidential messagesStandardsState governmentsStrategic information systems planningStrategic planningSystems compatibilitySystems integrationWarning systemsProgram coordinationProgram goals or objectivesProgram implementationTransparency