In this premiere episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola welcome former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for a powerful, no-nonsense conversation about the real challenges facing emergency alerting in the U.S.

Fugate breaks down why alert failures usually come from people, not technology—and why emergency managers must be trained, confident, and ready to issue immediate warnings when minutes matter. The discussion dives into the difference between notifications, alerts, and true warnings, the risks of overusing opt-in systems, and why consistent practice is essential for saving lives.

If you are an emergency manager, public safety leader, alert originator, or anyone involved in crisis communication, this episode delivers critical insights into building a more resilient and responsive warning system.