The Full Picture

[

] 141

CAP alert messages can also be used at the actual sensor systems,

as a format for direct reporting of relevant events to collection and

analysis centres.

CAP format for warning messages

Effective warning systems should reach everyone who is at risk,

wherever they are and whenever the event occurs, yet not alarm

people unnecessarily. Systems must be easy to use, reliable and

secure. Messages must be accurate, specific and action-oriented.

Messages must also be understandable, with attention to the prior

knowledge and experience of the receivers. It is also critical that

times, places and instructions are easily understood.

In addition to text instructions and a description of the event, CAP

messages convey the event’s ‘Urgency’, ‘Severity’ and ‘Certainty’.

Urgency describes how much time is available to prepare, Severity

describes the intensity of the impact, and Certainty states how confi-

dent is the observation or prediction.

An event is typically assigned to a category (e.g. geophysical, mete-

orological, safety, security, rescue, fire, health, environmental,

transportation or infrastructure). A CAP message can also include

digital images and audio. Including audio in a CAP message allows

for broadcasting a warning directly on radio, without requiring an

announcer to read the message.

Each CAP message has a unique identification number, and may

reference related CAP messages. CAP messages include the status

and time sent, allowing one message to serve as an update or cancel-

lation of a previous message. CAP messages are compatible with

digital encryption and signature techniques that ensure the reliabil-

ity and security of the message.

A CAP message can have multiple segments. This allows parts of

the message to be tailored for different audiences and languages.

Each segment also has a geographic description, so that multiple

segments might have information for different areas. For example,

perhaps an industrial fire threatens a major explosion. The alerting

official prepares one message with separate instructions for three

areas: evacuation within a mile of the fire; shelter-in-place for those

in the dispersion plume, and warning for aircraft to stay above 2,500

feet near the fire. The sender typically designates geographic areas by

drawing on a map while creating the CAP message.

Call to action for GEO

Although responsibility for warnings is a matter for local

authorities, the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is

a unique forum for coordinating natural hazards infor-

mation worldwide. All-hazards, all-media public warning

applies to eight of the GEO societal benefit areas:

• Disasters – natural and man-made hazard alerts

• Agriculture – disease, pests, drought alerts

• Biodiversity – invasive species alerts

• Ecosystems – oil spill, algal bloom alerts

• Energy – infrastructure, geomagnetic storm alerts

• Health – disease outbreaks, public health alerts

• Water – floods, droughts, water quality alerts

• Weather – severe weather alerts.

In 2004, many lives were lost due to ineffective public

warning even after detection of the tsunami. Today, GEO

is helping to raise consciousness about standards-based

all-hazards, all-media public warning. Soon, more

actions will follow, by ministers whose agencies create

alerts, and by ministers whose agencies regulate infor-

mation and communications technology.

Hazards

Fire

Flood

Landslide

Eathquake

Volcano

Tsunami

Typhoon/Hurricane

Disease

Public Safety

Law Enforcement

Siren

Television

Telephone

Cell Phone

Satellite

Internet

Radio

Fax

Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)

Media

Source: Eliot Christian

CAP diagram

CAP can replace single-purpose interfaces between alert sources and

dissemination media

CAP coding

An example of a CAP message, warning of a severe

thunderstorm. By using standardized coding, the warning

can reach those at risk, across all communications media.

<?xml version = “1.0” encoding = “UTF”-8”?>

<sender>KS

TO@NWS.NOAA.GOV

</sender>

<status>Actual</status>

<msgType>Alert</msgType>

<scope>Public</scope>

<info>

<event>Severe Thunderstorm</event>

<responseType>Shelter</responseType>

<urgency>Immediate</urgency>

<severity>Severe</severity>

<certainty>Observed</certainty>

<senderName>National Weather Service Sacramento

CA</senderName>

<headline>Severe Thunderstorm Warning</headline>

<description>Radar indicated a severe thunderstorm

over Alpine County… moving southwest at 5 mph.

Hail…intense rain and strong damaging winds are likely

with this storm.</description>

<instruction>take cover in a substantial shelter until the

storm passes.</instruction>

<area>

<areaDesc>extreme north central Tuolumne County in

California, extreme northeastern Calaveras County in

California, southwestern Alpine County in

California</areaDesc>

<polygon>38.47,-120.14 38.34,-119.95 38.52,-119.74

38.62,-119.89 38.47,-120.14</polygon>

</area>

</info>

</alert>

Source: Eliot Christian

GEOSS C

OMPONENTS

– P

REDICTION

YSTEMS