WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR IPAWS ALERT SYSTEM
Washington County Commissioners approved an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at their meeting Tuesday, for a new alert system.
The county approved a three-year contract to utilize the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The system is used by the federal government to warn the public of emergency situations.
Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke said the county can integrate this software with Everbridge, another notification system it is currently using, to send out messages to people in the area for life-threatening or dangerous situations, such as gas leaks.
The Everbridge system used by the county and the City of Brenham is opt-in, meaning users have to sign up to receive alerts via their phone, email, or other device. In contrast, IPAWS sends notifications to all people within a designated area, whether they are signed up or not. Ruemke listed Amber Alerts, which use IPAWS, as an example of how these notifications work.
Ruemke said it may be around three to four months before the county gets IPAWS up and running. He also said there is no cost to use the system, but any county officials looking to utilize IPAWS through Everbridge to send alerts will need to take mandatory training courses.
Also in session, commissioners authorized payment to Faith Mission for services provided during Hurricane Harvey. The payment from FEMA to Faith Mission was $41,829, with the county responsible for $4,182, or 10 percent. Ruemke said FEMA has already reimbursed the county for its payment.
Commissioners also adopted the positions and salary/wage ranges for the Victim Assistance Coordinator and Felony Chief Assistant District Attorneys. Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken said the budget has already planned for these future hirings, and accounts for what the positions will pay.
The court also reappointed Commissioner Kirk Hanath, Treasurer Peggy Kramer, County Attorney Renee Mueller, and E-911 Director Kristi Stamnes for their second term to the salary review committee. It also appointed Chief Deputy Jay Petrash as the Sheriff’s Office and Jail representative to the committee.