Obama signs public alert and warning modernization bill into law

President Barack Obama signed the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Modernization Act of 2015, S.1180, into law on Monday to modernize the nation’s public alert and warning system.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) in 2015.

“I’m thrilled the president has signed into law our legislation to ensure communities are prepared with the best protection possible when we face a natural disaster,” McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said. “Unfortunately, in Missouri, we’ve been all too familiar with that need — and this law is a concrete achievement for Missourians that’ll help more families and businesses get lifesaving information quickly, as well as ensure our government has the flexibility it needs to evolve with future technological changes.”

The legislation ensures that federal, state and local officials will be able to warn citizens effectively in the event of an act of terrorism, natural disaster or other threats to public safety.

“In an emergency, getting information quickly is crucial,” Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “This bill takes important steps to expand our nation’s public warning system to ensure the largest number of people are reached. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act also ensures effective training and collaboration so that when an emergency hits, we are ready. I was pleased to have guided this bipartisan bill through the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last year and am glad the president has signed this common sense bill into law, thereby strengthening our nation’s public warning system.”