In this compelling episode, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola take listeners behind the scenes of real-world Wireless Emergency Alerts — including a recent missing teen case in Pea Ridge, Arkansas — to show how evidence-based message design can directly support effective public safety outcomes.

Together, they break down:
• The difference training makes in high-stakes alert messaging
• Why many WEAs still lack critical information
• How the Message Design Dashboard improves quality and consistency
• A side-by-side comparison of a weak alert vs. a complete, research-based alert
• How post-alert “closure messages” build trust and reduce strain on 911 centers
• Real community outcomes when alerts are done right

Plus: Eddie shares a firsthand account from a recent local search, including how the Pea Ridge Police Department used structured messaging to quickly locate a missing teen with help from the community.

This is an essential episode for alerting authorities, emergency managers, public information officers, dispatch personnel, law enforcement, and anyone who communicates during critical events.

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Special thanks to our sponsor, HQE Systems, a veteran-owned alert origination and life-safety technology provider.

In this premiere episode of The Alerting Authority, hosts Jeannette Sutton and Eddie Bertola welcome former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for a powerful, no-nonsense conversation about the real challenges facing emergency alerting in the U.S.

Fugate breaks down why alert failures usually come from people, not technology—and why emergency managers must be trained, confident, and ready to issue immediate warnings when minutes matter. The discussion dives into the difference between notifications, alerts, and true warnings, the risks of overusing opt-in systems, and why consistent practice is essential for saving lives.

If you are an emergency manager, public safety leader, alert originator, or anyone involved in crisis communication, this episode delivers critical insights into building a more resilient and responsive warning system.