IPAWS Best Practices Guide
Annex 4 - Page ii
CAE
Child Abduction
Emergency
EAS, WEA, &
NWEM
Based on established criteria, an
emergency message, about a missing child
believed to be abducted. A local or state
law enforcement agency investigating the
abduction will describe the missing child,
provide a description of the suspect
and/or vehicle, and ask the public to notify
the requesting agency if they have any
information on the whereabouts of the
Authorized officials can use CAE
to inform the public when a
child is abducted. Sending an
CAE increases awareness and
the chances of a child being
recovered. CAE is the only
recommended event code to
use in this situation.
CDW Civil Danger Warning
EAS, WEA, &
NWEM
A warning of an event that presents a
danger to a significant civilian population.
The CDW, which usually warns of a specific
hazard and gives specific protective action,
has a higher priority than the Local Area
Emergency (LAE).
CDW can be used to inform
public of contaminated water
supply and imminent or in-
progress military or terrorist
attack. Public protective actions
could include evacuation,
shelter in place or other actions
(such as boiling contaminated
water or seeking medical
treatment). Use CDW instead of
LAE if the event is more
detrimental to the population.
CEM
Civil Emergency
Message
EAS, WEA, &
NWEM
An emergency message regarding an in-
progress or imminent significant threat(s)
to public safety and/or property. The CEM
is a higher priority message than the Local
Area Emergency (LAE), but the hazard is
less specific than the Civil Danger Warning
CEM can be used to describe a
change in the Homeland
Security Alert System level in
response to a terrorist threat.
Use CEM instead of LAE if the
event taking place is of greater
DMO
Practice/Demonstration
Warning
EAS, WEA, &
NWEM
A demonstration or test message used for
purposes established in state, including
local, tribal, or territorial EAS plans.
Purposes may include testing of a siren
system or audio quality checks.
DMO can be used by authorized
officials to test their NWEM
capabilities or siren systems.
Use RWT instead of DMO to test
EAS/WEA and avoid disrupting
EQW Earthquake Warning
EAS, WEA, &
NWEM
A warning of current or imminent
earthquake activity. Authorized officials
may recommend or order protective
actions according to state law or local
ordinance.
EQW can be used to inform the
public of affected areas and
measures to take for safety. If
road damages have occurred,
detour information can be
provided for individuals that
require or plan to travel into or
away from the affected area.
Use EQW instead of LAE to
immediately alert the public of
the exact event taking place.