Fwd: Common Alerting Protocol approved

EM TC/Rex: FYI...

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Jen Minnich" <>
> Date: April 20, 2004 4:08:57 PM EDT
> To: "Jen Minnich" <>
> Subject: Common Alerting Protocol approved
>
> Dear EIC Members,
>
> This is a copy of the email that Art Botterell sent to Steve Cooper, 
> CIO
> for the Department of Homeland Security. Please note the attached file
> regarding the CAP standard.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Jen Minnich
> ComCARE Alliance
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Art Botterell [mailto:]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 6:42 PM
> Subject: Common Alerting Protocol approved
>
> Dear Mr. Cooper -
>
> Attached for your information is the approved OASIS specification for
> the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) version 1.0
>
> CAP provides a non-proprietary industry standard data format enabling
> the coordination, integration and monitoring of all kinds of public
> warning systems at all levels of government.
>
> A number of companies have already demonstrated interoperability of
> CAP-based alerting equipment at several venues in Washington and
> elsewhere around the nation.  In these demonstrations equipment for 
> EAS,
> Weather Radio and local warning systems including sirens, wireless and
> wireline notification systems, as well as emergency-management software
> packages, were all linked into a single integrated warning network.
>
> In addition, a digital television application will be on display next
> week at this year's National Association of Broadcasters convention in
> Las Vegas.  Experimental applications of CAP have been underway for
> nearly a year by the California Office of Emergency Services and, more
> recently, by the National Weather Service.
>
> The development of CAP was sponsored by the national, non-profit
> Partnership for Public Warning and completed within the OASIS industry
> standards process.  Early industry support and implementation has been
> coordinated by the Emergency Interoperability Consortium and the 
> ComCARE
> Alliance.
>
> CAP provides a simple technology that can be used to weld the nation's
> existing patchwork of warning systems into a single comprehensive
> system.  It also provides a mechanism for the efficient monitoring of
> warning activity nationwide.
>
> I sincerely hope DHS will find CAP of value in its mission of 
> protecting
> and defending our nation.
>
> - Art Botterell
>    CAP Project Manager
>    Partnership for Public Warning
>