Program Details

The Emergency Notification Systems Grant Program seeks to enhance the emergency preparedness capacity of underserved communities across the United States to respond to emergencies by supporting mass emergency notification systems.

In collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, the Institute for Disaster Management will assist in the implementation of programs that focus on bridging communication gaps in vulnerable and wildfire-prone areas, ensuring that all residents have access to critical, life-saving information.

The project’s goals include not only improving the availability of emergency notifications but also making sure that the information conveyed is clear, accessible, and actionable. This will involve evaluating public and government engagement with wildfire alerts, using wildfires as a case study to understand community interest and response levels. Wildfire-prone areas offer a valuable setting to assess the public’s perception of alerts and identify any barriers to prompt action.

To be effective, emergency notification systems must provide timely, accurate information that is widely understood by the communities they serve. This project will assess what makes emergency notification messaging effective at ensuring individuals understand the risks and the necessary actions during wildfire events and other emergencies. By enhancing the infrastructure and evaluating message effectiveness, the project aims to build resilient, prepared communities that are equipped with the tools and knowledge to respond quickly and protect lives and property.