What is IPAWS:

During an emergency, alert and warning officials need to provide the public with life-saving information quickly. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is a modernization and integration of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure and will save time when time matters most, protecting life and property.

Federal, State, local, tribal and territorial alerting authorities can use IPAWS and integrate local systems that use Common Alerting Protocol standards with the IPAWS infrastructure. IPAWS provides public safety officials with an effective way to alert and warn the public about serious emergencies using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems from a single interface.

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.

What you need to know what 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 are 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

What you need to know what EASs:

• The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is used by alerting authorities to send warnings via broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline communications pathways. 
• Emergency Alert System participants, which consist of broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline providers, are the stewards of this important public service in close partnership with alerting officials at all levels of government. 
• The 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. 
• The EAS is in a constant state of improvement to ensure seamless integration of CAP-based and emerging technologies.

The Morton County Emergency Management Office would like to stress the importance of citizens and businesses owning an all-hazards radio.

All-hazards radios are the best way for your home and business to receive emergency information, watches, and warnings directly from the National Weather Service. The radios can be purchased from many local retail stores.

An important feature is that the radio will automatically turn itself on to alert you when a warning has been issued no matter what time of day. The newer radios can be programmed specifically for your county and some of the radios let you program specifically which warnings you may want to receive. Let's "Be Prepared!"

Please click here for information on where to buy a weather radio, special needs weather radios, and S.A.M.E. codes.

Outdoor Warning Siren Fact Sheet

As summer is fast approaching, it is now time to reeducate ourselves on the use of the Outdoor Warning Sirens and what should be done when the sirens do sound.

The City of Mandan has 7 working outdoor warning sirens.  These are used to alert citizens of impending emergencies, including severe weather.  In order to ensure the mechanical parts of the siren are used regularly and that the sirens are working properly, we test the sirens on the last Friday of every month at 9:30 am.

The Central Dakota Communications Center in Bismarck has the responsibility of sounding the sirens within the city limits of Mandan.  The Outdoor Warning Sirens will be sounded when:

• A confirmed funnel cloud has been spotted within 12 to 15 miles of Mandan and approaching the city,
• A confirmed tornado has been spotted within 12 to 15 miles of Mandan and approaching the city, or
• The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Tornado Warning for western Burleigh and Eastern Morton Counties to include the Cities of Mandan and Bismarck.
• The NWS warning predicts 80 mph wind gusts and/or golf ball sized (1.75 inch) or larger hail for eastern Morton County to include the City of Mandan.  IMPACT...PEOPLE AND ANIMALS OUTDOORS WILL BE INJURED.

Confirmation of a funnel cloud or tornado may occur through the National Weather Service, trained Law Enforcement Officers, or trained Weather Spotters.  Remember, a Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.  A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado.  The Outdoor Warning Sirens will not be sounded for a Watch.

When the Outdoor Warning Sirens are activated, you should take shelter indoors in a basement, cellar, or the lowest level of the building.  If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or room away from windows such as a bathroom or closet. Vehicles, mobile homes, shopping malls, and auditoriums (any buildings with wide-span roofs) are not considered safe shelter.   It is your responsibility to have a shelter location identified before the emergency arises.  If you are outside, lie in a ditch or low-lying area and use your arms to cover your head and neck to protect yourself from flying debris.  Please tune to your local television or radio station for further information or alerts during the emergency.  Please refrain from calling the 911 center to find out what the emergency is.  Only call if you have an actual emergency.

Remember, lightning, hail, and flooding are all potentials with these storms.  Prepare yourself in advance by discussing safety plans with your coworkers and families and know where to meet or who to contact when the storm passes.  You will only have a short amount of time to make a life or death decision.  Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.

For more information, contact Morton County Emergency Management at (701) 667-3307.