The Alerting Authority

Artificial intelligence is already changing emergency management — but are we ready to trust it with alerts and warnings?

On this episode of The Alerting Authority, Dr. Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola welcome Dr. Jessica Jensen, Senior Policy Researcher at RAND and a national expert in emergency management policy, practice, and research.

Dr. Jensen joins the podcast to discuss the newly released AIDE report — AI for Disasters and Emergencies — and what its findings mean for emergency managers, public warning professionals, and organizations exploring the use of artificial intelligence during disasters.

The conversation explores where AI can help, where significant questions remain, and why emergency management cannot simply adopt AI tools without understanding how they perform against established research and warning-message standards.

One of the biggest takeaways: AI should support emergency management professionals — not replace their expertise.

Jeannette and Eddie also discuss the importance of benchmarking AI-generated alerts and warnings, keeping a human in the loop, and ensuring that messages continue to follow evidence-based principles for effective risk and crisis communication.

In this episode:
• What the AIDE (AI for Disasters and Emergencies) report found
• How AI could change emergency management
• Using AI to write emergency alerts and warnings
• Why benchmarking AI systems matters
• The importance of the human in the loop
• Risks of relying too heavily on AI-generated messaging
• The need for standards and independent evaluation of AI tools
• What emergency managers should understand before adopting AI
• Where additional research is still needed

The Alerting Authority helps organizations strengthen their warning and emergency communication programs through training, message audits, policy assistance, message design, exercises, and real-world guidance.

Because “we’ll figure it out when something happens” is not an emergency communication strategy.

Subscribe to The Alerting Authority for conversations with researchers, emergency managers, warning experts, and practitioners working to make alerts and warnings more effective.

#EmergencyManagement #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #EmergencyAlerts #PublicWarning #CrisisCommunication #DisasterResponse #RiskCommunication #EmergencyCommunications #AIDE

Wildfire evacuations can turn chaotic in minutes. So how do emergency managers know when to issue an evacuation order, who should leave first, and whether the roads can actually handle everyone trying to escape?

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola are joined by Tom Cova, professor at the University of Utah and expert in wildfire evacuation analysis, emergency management, and geographic information science. 

Tom breaks down the science behind evacuation modeling and explains why real-world human behavior can completely change an evacuation timeline. The conversation explores traffic bottlenecks, evacuation zones, phased evacuations, warning messages, vulnerable populations, wildfire behavior, and how emergency managers can build more realistic evacuation plans.

One of the biggest takeaways: evacuating everyone simultaneously isn't always the safest strategy. Research and real-world experience show that phased evacuations can reduce risk by allowing those closest to the danger to leave before roads become gridlocked. 

The discussion also examines the future of emergency evacuation technology—including live evacuation information, smarter routing, mobile alerts, AI-assisted decision support, and systems that could help emergency managers determine when it's time to issue a warning. 

Topics include: wildfire evacuation modeling, evacuation alerts and warnings, traffic and evacuation routes, phased evacuations, evacuation zones, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), emergency management planning, vulnerable populations, human behavior during disasters, AI in emergency management, and wildfire preparedness.

Subscribe to The Alerting Authority for conversations about emergency alerts, warnings, crisis communication, IPAWS, WEA, and the future of public safety messaging.

What happens when emergency managers, public safety leaders, universities, public health officials, law enforcement, and alerting authorities from across Texas come together for two days of intensive training?

In this episode of  The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola break down their experience at CAPCOG 2026, where they trained professionals from across Texas on emergency communications, alerting policies, message design, public warning research, and real-world emergency scenarios.

Topics include:

✅ Why "we'll figure it out when something happens" is not an emergency communication strategy
✅ Building alerting policies that work under pressure
✅ The importance of emergency authorization and reducing notification delays
✅ Cross-jurisdictional coordination and mutual aid agreements
✅ Message design based on scientific research
✅ The Warning Lexicon, Post-Alert Lexicon, and Message Design Dashboard
✅ Active shooter communication strategies
✅ Writing effective all-clear messages
✅ Supporting access and functional needs populations
✅ Practical exercises that improved confidence and reduced fear among alerting professionals

The discussion highlights how training, preparation, and evidence-based practices help communities communicate more effectively during emergencies. Participants worked through real-world scenarios ranging from severe weather to active threats while learning how to craft clear, actionable warning messages.

Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety professional, dispatcher, university official, or anyone responsible for crisis communications, this episode offers valuable lessons that can improve your alerting program.

To learn more about what was discussed and what you can do to better understand alerting checkout TheWarnRoom.com and TheAlertingAuthority.com

#AlertingAuthority #EmergencyManagement #PublicSafety #EmergencyAlerts #CAPCOG #WirelessEmergencyAlerts #EmergencyCommunications #CrisisCommunication #AlertWarning #EmergencyPreparedness

What happens when emergency alerts fail, misinformation spreads, or organizations lose public trust during a crisis?

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Dr. W. Timothy Coombs, one of the most cited crisis communication scholars in the world and creator of the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT).

The conversation explores the relationship between crisis communication, disasters, alerts, warnings, and organizational accountability. Dr. Coombs explains how effective communication brings crisis management plans to life and why instructing and adjusting information are critical to protecting the public.

Using real-world examples including the Hawaii false missile alert, the Paradise Fire, and the Los Angeles wildfire alert failures, the discussion examines what organizations can learn when communication systems break down.

The episode also tackles one of the biggest emerging challenges in emergency management: artificial intelligence. Dr. Coombs shares his perspective on AI-generated messaging, the risks of overreliance on automation, the importance of maintaining communication skills, and why meaningful human involvement remains essential in crisis communication.

Topics include:

•  Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) 
•  Accountability and public trust during crises 
•  Lessons from the Hawaii false missile alert 
•  Paradise Fire communication challenges 
•  Los Angeles wildfire alert failures 
•  Over-alerting and public response 
•  Crisis communication training and preparedness 
•  AI in emergency messaging and public warning 
•  Human-in-the-loop communication systems 
•  Research, peer review, and the future of crisis communication 

Whether you're an emergency manager, public information officer, alerting practitioner, researcher, or communicator, this episode offers valuable insights into how organizations can communicate more effectively when the stakes are highest.

What emergency managers see when they send an alert isn't always what the public receives.

In this episode of Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton, Eddie Bertola, and special guest Rob Dale explore how Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) appear on different devices and why those differences matter. The discussion dives into PBS Warn, message design, alert effectiveness, and common mistakes emergency managers make when creating warning messages.

Rob shares insights from reviewing thousands of alerts across the country, highlighting both best practices and recurring issues that can impact public understanding and response. The conversation also examines how WEA has evolved from 90-character messages to today's richer capabilities, including longer messages, links, and future enhancements. Emergency managers, public information officers, and alerting professionals will gain practical guidance for improving warning messages and better reaching their communities.

Topics Covered:

•  Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) 
•  PBS Warn 
•  Emergency alert message design 
•  Public warning best practices 
•  Alerting and warning research 
•  Emergency management communications 
•  Mobile alert differences between Apple and Android 
•  Public safety messaging 
•  IPAWS and WEA evolution 
•  Crisis communication 

Rob Dale discusses how PBS Warn allows alerting professionals to review and evaluate emergency alerts issued across the country, helping identify strengths and weaknesses in warning messages. 

The episode also explores how WEA has evolved from the original 90-character limitation to 360-character alerts with expanded capabilities, improving opportunities for effective public warning.

This episode is sponsored by HQE Systems. Visit them at HQEsystems.com

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way emergency managers, public information officers, and alerting authorities communicate with the public. But should we trust AI with emergency alerts and crisis communication?

In this special panel discussion, Jeannette Sutton, Eddie Bertola, and Dan Stoneking explore the growing role of AI in emergency management, public warning systems, and crisis communications. Drawing from research, field experience, and communications expertise, they discuss the opportunities, risks, and realities of integrating AI into emergency alerting.

Topics include:

- Generative AI vs. traditional AI tools
- How emergency managers are already using AI
- AI-generated emergency alerts and warning messages
- Trust, credibility, and human oversight
- The future of public information officers
- Message design, warning science, and alert effectiveness
- Why AI should be viewed as a tool—not a replacement

Whether you're an emergency manager, PIO, researcher, dispatcher, or public safety professional, this conversation offers valuable insight into one of the biggest technological shifts facing the alerting community.

#EmergencyManagement #AI #CrisisCommunication #PublicSafety #EmergencyAlerts #IPAWS #AlertingAuthority #ArtificialIntelligence #PIO #EmergencyCommunications

In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Dr. Joseph Trujillo-Falcón, a leading researcher in multilingual risk communication and emergency alerts.

Joseph shares his journey from immigrating to the United States from Peru to becoming one of the nation's foremost experts on language equity in weather warnings. The discussion explores how emergency messages are translated, why certain warning terms can create confusion, and how artificial intelligence is helping agencies like NOAA and the National Weather Service improve multilingual communication.

The conversation covers:
• The challenges of translating tornado warnings and weather alerts
• Why direct translations often fail during emergencies
• AI-powered weather warning translation systems
• Language equity in public safety communication
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and multilingual messaging
• How local agencies can better reach diverse communities
• The future of emergency communication for the 2028 Olympics and beyond

Whether you're an emergency manager, public safety professional, meteorologist, researcher, or simply interested in how technology can help save lives, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of alerting and warning systems.

Guest: Dr. Joseph Trujillo-Falcón

Topics: AI Translation, NOAA, National Weather Service, Emergency Alerts, Risk Communication, Public Safety, Weather Warnings, Language Equity, Wireless Emergency Alerts, Emergency Management.

This episode is sponsored by HQE Systems. 

#EmergencyManagement #PublicSafety #RiskCommunication #AITranslation #LanguageAccess

Who is Eddie Bertola?

In this special episode of The Alerting Authority Podcast, Dr. Jeannette Sutton turns the tables and interviews co-host Eddie Bertola, one of the nation's leading experts on emergency alerts, AMBER Alerts, crisis communication, and public warning systems.

Discover the personal story behind the public safety leader as Eddie shares how growing up in California led him into law enforcement, his career with the California Highway Patrol, and how he helped modernize emergency alerting technology across the United States.

Along the way, you'll also learn why he's passionate about Disney, why Mexican Coca-Cola is his favorite drink, how six goats became part of his life, and the lessons he learned as a hostage negotiator that anyone can use in everyday communication.

In this episode you'll discover:

- Eddie Bertola's journey into law enforcement
- How California's AMBER Alert program evolved
- The future of emergency alerts and public warning systems
- Behind-the-scenes stories from hostage negotiations
- California Highway Patrol career experiences
- How Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) have changed lives
- The importance of policy, preparedness, and alerting standards
- Disney, Coca-Cola, goats, family, and life outside emergency management

Whether you're an emergency manager, dispatcher, first responder, public information officer, emergency communications professional, or simply interested in public safety, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the industry's most recognized voices.

Subscribe for more conversations about:

-Emergency Management
-Public Safety
-AMBER Alerts
-IPAWS
-Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
-Crisis Communication
-Disaster Preparedness
-Warning Science
-Public Information
-Emergency Alert Systems

🎙️ Every Second Has a Story.

#EmergencyManagement #AmberAlert #PublicSafety #IPAWS #WirelessEmergencyAlerts #CrisisCommunication #EmergencyAlerts #LawEnforcement #CaliforniaHighwayPatrol #HostageNegotiation #AlertingAuthority

How do emergency managers make sure the right people get the right message at the right time? In this episode of The Alerting Authority, Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola sit down with Martin Ritchey, Director of Homeland Security at the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), to discuss emergency notification systems, IPAWS, Everbridge, warning fatigue, emergency preparedness, flash flood response, and lessons learned from major disasters across Texas.

Martin shares how CAPCOG built one of the most successful regional alerting programs in the country through WarnCentralTexas.org, achieving exceptional community participation and improving emergency communication capabilities across a 10-county region. The conversation explores the importance of emergency alerts, public warning systems, crisis communication, emergency management training, disaster response, resilience planning, and how technology can help save lives during critical incidents.

From devastating Texas floods and Winter Storm Uri to aviation disasters and emergency notification best practices, this episode offers valuable insights for emergency managers, public safety officials, alerting authorities, and anyone interested in disaster preparedness and community resilience.

This episode of The Alerting Authority is proudly sponsored by Everbridge.

When emergencies happen, every second matters. Everbridge helps organizations ensure the right people receive the right information at the right time. Trusted by more than 6,500 organizations worldwide, Everbridge's High Velocity Critical Event Management (CEM) platform combines advanced technology and purpose-built AI to help organizations anticipate risks, communicate during crises, and recover faster from critical events.

Whether facing severe weather, operational disruptions, cybersecurity incidents, or large-scale emergencies, Everbridge provides leaders with the tools and confidence needed to make informed decisions when it matters most. From government agencies and public safety organizations to businesses and healthcare systems, Everbridge helps protect people, assets, and operations through industry-leading emergency communication and resilience solutions.

Learn how Everbridge is helping organizations build safer, more resilient communities by delivering the right message at the right time at www.everbridge.com

What is it really like to walk across England?

In this special episode of Alerting Authority, Dr. Jeannette Sutton shares the incredible story of hiking 210 miles across England on the legendary Alfred Wainwright Coast to Coast Trail. Over 15 days, she and her husband crossed three national parks, visited charming English villages, climbed rugged mountains, navigated changing weather, and completed one of the world's most iconic long-distance hiking routes.

Along the way, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola discuss:

•  The England Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay) 
•  Hiking through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors 
•  Travel planning and luggage transfer services 
•  Navigation, trail markers, maps, and hiking apps 
•  Weather preparedness and hiking safety 
•  Traveling internationally during major events like FIFA 
•  Emergency alerts, communication, and tourism safety 
•  Highland cows, sheep, English pubs, castles, and historic abbeys 
•  Lessons about teamwork, resilience, and adventure 

Whether you're planning your own England hiking vacation, looking for Coast to Coast Trail tips, or interested in travel safety and emergency communication, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring stories from one unforgettable journey.

Subscribe to Alerting Authority for conversations about emergency management, public safety, alerts and warnings, crisis communication, and preparedness—along with the occasional adventure that teaches valuable lessons along the way.

#CoastToCoastWalk #EnglandHiking #AlfredWainwright #LakeDistrict #YorkshireDales #TravelEngland #HikingAdventure #LongDistanceHiking #EmergencyManagement #Preparedness #TravelSafety #AlertingAuthority