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Rick Wimberly

Contributing Writer

Wimberly is president of Galain Solutions Inc., a consultancy with a specialty in emergency alerts and warnings. He also writes the Alerts & Notifications blog for Emergency Management, which covers best practices for emergency notification programs.

He can be reached by email and Twitter.

Public Safety

Time to Speak Up about Changes in Wireless Emergency Alerts

Public safety practitioners have a chance to influence this important Wireless Emergency Alerts cell phone alerting system. The FCC is looking for comments on significant changes to WEA. Deadline: December 8.

November 18, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Public Safety

FCC Changes to Wireless Emergency Alerts Will Take Time

The FCC has revised the rules for Wireless Emergency Alerts to make significant changes in the emergency alerting system. As significant as the changes are, the obstacles are equally significant.

September 29, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Public Safety

Questions About WEA Use in NY/NJ Bombings

Why weren't images used, and was this the first use of the cell alerting system for a manhunt are among the questions asked about use of Wireless Emergency Alerts for the manhunt for the suspect in the New York/New Jersey bombings.

September 22, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Public Safety

Want to Help Shape IPAWS?

Deadline is October 6 to submit applications for membership in the new subcommittee on IPAWS for FEMA's National Advisory Council. Local public safety practitioners are encouraged to apply.

September 18, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Recovery

The 2016 National EAS Test Will Be Different

EAS alert tests planned for the full nation September 28. We'll learn how well EAS modifications work since the last national test in 2011.

August 30, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Recovery

Syncing Flood Warnings to Flood Alerts

Ability to predict flood events improves, but challenges remain in getting the public to take action.

August 30, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Recovery

Higher Education Activating IPAWS?

Several colleges and universities have been given permission to activate alerts through Wireless Emergency Alerts and other tools of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

May 23, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Disaster Zone

Mysteries of Wireless Emergency Alerts Revealed

A new report explains in detail how Wireless Emergency Alerts accomplish geo-targeting. The report could help practitioners understand overshooting or undershooting of alerts via WEA.

April 08, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Disaster Zone

IPAWS Could be Changing

Congress has passed a new law that could enhance operations of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

March 28, 2016
· Rick Wimberly
Justice and Public Safety

Emergency Alerts Become Personalized

Alerting evolves to more precise mobile delivery.

February 17, 2016
· Rick Wimberly