Commissioners approve $1,995 annual contract for smartphone mass-notification service linked to IPAWS
Loading...
Summary
The board approved partnering with OCV to add an EMA tab to the sheriff's app and pay $1,995 annually (or $5,985 prepaid for three years) for a mass-notification service that integrates with FEMA's IPAWS. County officials said the system allows geofenced alerts to cell phones and includes training and policy work with sheriff's staff.
Warrick County commissioners approved funding on Tuesday for a three-year mass-notification subscription to an OCV service that integrates with the federal Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
Matt (EMA) told the board the OCV service — the same vendor that provides the sheriff’s smartphone app — is FEMA-approved and would allow authorized county staff to draw a map and send geofenced alerts to cell phones in the affected area. He said the county can either pay $1,995 annually or $5,985 up front for three years; the board approved the annual payment option.
Sheriff Mike Wilder described the system as an interface enabling EMA and sheriff’s staff to create targeted alerts and said the vendor’s training and controls reduce the risk of inappropriate messages. Wilder noted that OCV’s setup is designed to meet federal standards so alerts must meet IPAWS criteria before distribution.
Commissioners were told the vendor will allow the county to add an EMA tab to the sheriff’s app at no additional cost, improving interagency coordination. County staff said the contract was forwarded to the county attorney for review before execution.
Motion to approve the annual $1,995 subscription was made, seconded and carried unanimously. Commissioners said they would coordinate details with the sheriff’s office and EMA staff and complete contract review and signature in the coming days.
Minutes show the board asked that training and policy documents be prepared jointly by sheriff’s staff and EMA so that deployment of IPAWS-compliant alerts follows federal guidelines.
