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Lake County E911 Authority moves to standardize alerting: Everbridge, IPAWS training and templates on agenda
Summary
Staff recommended expanded Everbridge training, clarified roles for IPAWS/WEA alerts and proposed a checklist and templates to make emergency alerting more consistent across dispatch and first responders.
Lake County E911 Authority members on March 7 reviewed a staff proposal to clarify how the county uses Everbridge and the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), and to expand training for dispatchers and partner agencies.
Staff presented a three‑page primer that defines IPAWS, wireless emergency alerts (WEA) and Everbridge, explains limitations such as character limits, and outlines when each system is appropriate. The draft primer is intended as a training and reference tool for dispatch and first responders.
Paula and OEM staff said Everbridge has many features that local agencies underuse. Authority members discussed three near-term steps: (1) secure additional vendor training or consulting hours from Everbridge or from a state DHSEM subject-matter contact; (2) reduce template clutter and adopt a smaller, validated set of templates for common messages; (3) produce a short dispatcher checklist so first responders requesting alerts confirm items such as train stoppage, target geography and language needs before an alert is issued.
Why it matters: Staff told the board some partner agencies were receiving unintended messages because senders selected the wrong Everbridge templates (for example, hospital templates rather than EMS). That mismatch increases the risk of misdirected notifications during emergencies.
Staff said they have asked Everbridge for “Everbridge University” self‑study training and also asked state contacts at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) to provide on‑site or remote training. Elizabeth Owensby at DHSEM was cited as a potential trainer. Larimer and El Paso/Teller regional authorities offered to share training materials and templates.
Board members directed staff to assemble training resources, reduce redundant templates, and produce the dispatcher checklist. Marla and Paula agreed to continue refining the primer and templates and to circulate the materials to first responders for review.
Ending: Staff will pursue training options, share template recommendations and return with a dispatcher checklist and suggested timeline for adoption.
