Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the On-The-Go Alerting software application?

The On-The-Go Alerting app is an emergency management alert and warning origination application. It interoperates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (“IPAWS”) to allow authorized users to send alerts and warnings to selected aggregations of the public and other collaborating emergency management organizations.

How does the On-The-Go Alerting app work?

On-The-Go Alerting allows authorized users to create and transmit CAP, IPAWS, and NWEM formatted alerts and warnings (“Alerts”) through IPAWS directly from an iPad.

Can I choose which type of alert messages to send?

Yes, you can send one type of message or any combination of types of messages. The choice is yours.

Do people have to sign up to receive alerts?

No. On-The-Go Alerting delivers warnings and alerts via radio and TV, through NOAA weather radios and via cell phones that are CMAS/WEA compatible.

What else can I do with the app besides send and receive alerts?

On-The-Go Alerting also allows authorized users to:

• Receive alerts sent to your collaborative operating group (“COG”) through IPAWS-OPEN
• See Alerts on an Alert Map
• Directly draw and alter customized Alert zones on the Alert Map from an iPad.

Is there a way I can see the functionality of the app before I sign up?

Yes. There is a On-The-Go Alerting YouTube channel with videos showing the capabilities of On-The-Go Alerting. You can also contact us at sales@otgalerting.com to request a tour of On-The-Go Alerting.

What is the cost of On-The-Go Alerting?

The iPad app is free at Apple's App Store. There is an annual subscription fee that covers access to new functionality and expanded support for new alert and warning types and the latest distribution channels. The pricing is as follows:

• individual user license, $250 annually
• 5 user license bundle, $1000 annually
• 20 user license bundle, $3000 annually
• unlimited user licenses, $5000 annually

How do I pay the license fee and when is payment due?

Contact information is collected during the sign up process on our Web site and you will be invoiced after COG configuration and connectivity with IPAWS has been verified.

What credentials are required to be an authorized user?

You must be a member of a Collaborative Operating Group (“COG”) to access the On-The-Go Alerting app. Please contact your local emergency management office for additional information on creating or joining a COG.

What is a COG?

COG stands for Collaborative Operating Group. A COG is a logical grouping of individuals and organizations that work together in response to incidents and disasters in a particular geographic region. Examples of COGs include local fire departments, state police, local police and a county sheriff’s department.

How do I join a COG?

When you sign up with On-The-Go Alerting, you can search for a local COG and request to join that COG. The COG administrator makes all decisions related to membership.

How do you register for a COG?

On-The-Go Alerting will help you register your COG. You can also visit the following two FEMA websites for additional information on IPAWS and registering a COG: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/alerting_authorities.shtm and http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/.

Where can I get the On-The-Go Alerting app?

The iPad app is available at Apple's App Store.

How do I sign up for the On-The-Go Alerting notification service?

It is quick and easy to sign up for On-The-Go Alerting:

1. Download the free On-The-Go Alerting iPad app from Apple's App Store
2. Go to the On-The-Go Alerting Web site and click on the sign up link. Provide you name and email address and choose a password to create your account.
3. Choose a COG from the drop down list of available COGs.
4. Choose whether you are a COG Admin or a user
5. If you are a COG Admin, you will be approved by the System Admin and will receive an email notification of approval.
6. If you are a COG user, you will be approved by the COG Admin and will receive an email notification of approval.

Once you are approved, the username and password that you created during the sign-up process will be active. You will use this to log into the the On-The-Go Alerting iPad app.

Is the On-The-Go Alerting app compatible with the iPhone?

Future plans include an iPhone and Android version of the app, but at this time, On-The-Go Alerting is available for iPads only.

What kind of customer support is provided for On-The-Go Alerting customers?

We provide email and phone support as well as training materials.

Do you accept suggestions and requests?

We will consider suggestions for new features if we feel that they have universal appeal and utility. Please send your suggestions to support@otgalerting.com

Can you provide references we could contact?

Yes. We would be happy to provide references regarding the On-The-Go Alerting app and service as well as general business references. Please contact Kirby Rice, Program Manager at Kirby.Rice@otgalerting.com.