The Alerting Authority

About The Alerting Authority

The Alerting Authority is a podcast dedicated to improving how we warn the public when seconds matter. Hosted by Jeanette Sutton, a leading researcher in public alerts and warnings, and Eddie Bertola, an expert in emergency communications technology, the show brings together practitioners, policymakers, technologists, and thought leaders shaping the future of public alerting. Each episode dives deep into real-world challenges behind creating, issuing, and delivering life-saving alerts. From Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to IPAWS implementation, crisis messaging, public behavior, and alerting policy, the hosts explore what works, what fails, and why. Rather than focusing solely on tools or software, The Alerting Authority examines the “human side” of emergency communication—decision-making under pressure, message design, training gaps, coordination across agencies, and the psychology of how people interpret warnings. The podcast aims to empower emergency managers, communicators, and public safety professionals with actionable insights, practical guidance, and candid conversations with the people who have shaped, studied, and experienced alerting at every level. Whether you’re responsible for issuing alerts, designing systems, researching risk communication, or simply interested in how warnings save lives, The Alerting Authority is your go-to source for understanding and improving public alerting in a complex and rapidly evolving world.

Publisher

Eddie Bertola and Jeannette Sutton

Category

business · education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Nov 2025

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

51 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   The Cost of Getting Emergency Alerts Wrong — Lessons from Oregon

   What happens when an emergency alert goes to the wrong people—or never reaches the people who need it most? On this episode of The Alerting Authority, host Eddie Bertola welcomes William (Will) Chapman, Oregon's Statewide Interoperability and Watch Center Manager, for an in-depth conversation about emergency communications, lessons learned from major disasters, and building a more reliable statewide alert and warning system. Drawing on his experience in 911 communications, law enforcement, fi...

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Why Some Emergency Alerts Fail — New Research Explains What’s Missing - Part II Discussion

3. 

   3 Oct 2026

   Your Emergency Alerts Aren’t Good Enough — Here’s Why - Reality Check

   Emergency alerts are supposed to help people make fast, potentially life-saving decisions. But what happens when the alert itself is vague, incomplete, or confusing? In this Alerting Authority Reality Check, Eddie Bertola tackles one of the most basic — and most overlooked — parts of an effective emergency warning program: TEMPLATES. Too many agencies are still trying to write critical messages from scratch while an emergency is unfolding. Eddie explains why that needs to change and how well-...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact The Alerting Authority

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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