Midland County and the City of Midland announced the implementation of the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS), a new emergency communication tool designed to provide critical information to residents during emergencies.
Officials from the Midland County Emergency Management Office, Midland Fire Department, and Midland Police Department gathered Feb. 27 to unveil the system, which will begin public testing at the end of February. This collaboration between the city and county officials aims to improve public safety communication and ensure that all residents, including those in rural or hard-to-reach areas, can receive timely alerts. IPAWS will deliver safety alerts through three primary channels:
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Direct messages to cell phones within a specific area.
- Emergency Alert System (EAS): Broadcast alerts on television and radio.
- NOAA Weather Radio: Weather-related emergency notifications.
“Public safety is a responsibility we take seriously, and the implementation of the IPAWS system ensures that we can communicate urgent alerts directly to the people of Midland County when seconds matter most," he said. "Whether it's severe weather, hazardous conditions, or other emergencies, this system enhances our ability to keep residents informed and prepared. By working together at the city and county level, we are strengthening our emergency response efforts and making sure our communities have access to timely, life-saving information."
Midland Mayor Lori Blong also highlighted the benefits of the system.
"The safety of our residents is our top priority, and the implementation of the IPAWS system is a significant step forward in ensuring we can reach the community quickly and effectively during emergencies," she said. "This system enhances our ability to deliver real-time alerts for severe weather, public safety threats, and other critical situations directly to mobile devices, radio, and television. By leveraging this technology, we are strengthening Midland’s preparedness and response capabilities, ultimately helping to protect lives and keep our city informed when it matters most."
Unlike Alert Midland, which is an opt-in system for neighborhood-level notifications like road closures and water outages, IPAWS automatically sends emergency alerts to everyone within a specific area. This ensures timely communication during emergencies, natural disasters, or imminent threats to public safety without requiring individuals to sign up.
IPAWS will also alert the community to life-threatening hazards, while Alert Midland focuses on more localized, less urgent updates. The new system offers a more reliable approach than outdated tornado sirens, which have limited range and effectiveness. IPAWS delivers precise, location-based alerts directly to individuals, whether they are indoors, outdoors, or on the move. This capability ensures that crucial information reaches people quickly and clearly, reducing confusion and improving response times.
IPAWS will improve communication with Midland’s transient population, particularly the many workers in the Permian Basin who may not be signed up for Alert Midland. Since IPAWS sends alerts to all mobile devices in a designated area, it ensures both residents and temporary workers receive vital information in emergency situations.