Grandpa Ham – Grandpa Can do IT!

It has finally happened.  The process for getting access to the IPAWS-OPEN 2.0 Test capability is in place.  You must fill out a request questionnaire first.  This questionnaire will soon be available on the FEMA IPAWS web site.  Until it is available, makers/developer/program managers of emergency management software and Alert dissemination systems can send email to “open AT eyestreet.com”  requesting the questionnaire.  We will use that information to construct a Memorandum of  Agreement that you will sign and return to me.  I will obtain a valid Government signature and return the MOA to you along with a programmers Manual, valid system endpoint for the IPAWS 2.0 web services, and an x509 signature to be used in accessing those end points.  Please be patient.  There is some pent-up demand and it will take a while before everyone is taken care of. We will be giving priority to current OPEN operational systems and to EAS dissemination systems that need to help broadcasters meet the infamous “180 day clock.”  But we will get to you.

A note to all of you who have been waiting since January (and before).  We have been given authority.  There is security paperwork to do, but the process is now in place.

Here are the details about the the IPAWS-OPEN Special Interest Group Meeting to be held at noon Eastern Time on wednesday where I will provide further detail  :

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)
Open Platform for Emergency Networks (OPEN) 2.0 Test Environment
Wednesday October 20, 12:00 Noon Eastern

During our next Webinar, System Architect Gary Ham will provide the latest information about access requirements for the IPAWS-OPEN 2.0 development test environment, including documentation and reporting requirements.

This program is intended primarily for system developers.  Please make plans to join us via conference bridge and Live Meeting. As always, your questions and comments are welcome.

IMPORTANT: If you have not logged into Live Meeting before, check out the following connection instructions and participant guidelines prior to next week’s meeting:
http://www.fema.gov/about/programs/disastermanagement/archive/LiveMtgInstruct.pdf

(1) Login to MS Live Meeting for visuals: The following login link can only be used 30 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting time: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/eiip/join?id=DMprogram&role=attend

(2) Call into the Conference Bridge number as follows: 1 (800) 366-7242  PIN 3647 6736#.

If you are unable to attend this month’s meeting due to other commitments, a recording will be accessible from the DM Web site.

• News on the process for connecting to IPAWS-OPEN 2.0 test environment should begin to trickle out tomorrow. We have approval!!!! #