WEA sent 3/22/2023
Alert originators are required by IPAWS to conduct regular tests of their system to ensure that it is operational and that operators can use it effectively. Occasionally, system tests can be conducted in tandem with other activities, such as siren testing and a drill, as demonstrated in this message. There's a lot going on here and it's a great opportunity to investigate whether redundancy (siren plus WEA) affected behavior change (participating in a drill), if there was some confusion about the intent of the messaging (is this a test or a drill or both), or some other potential outcome could be identified (such as turning WEA off or leaving it on). We don't have any recommendations for this type of messaging; tests are necessary, drills are important. Public education may be the key to their success in local communities.
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