Question

Do I need to select a contact group when sending a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)?

Answer

When sending a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), you typically need to select at least one contact group to ensure targeted communication. However, there are specific scenarios where you can send a WEA without selecting any contact groups.

Why contact groups are normally required

Selecting at least one contact group when sending a WEA is a design feature that:

• Ensures alerts are targeted to appropriate audiences
• Prevents alerts from being sent to undefined or unlimited audiences
• Helps avoid confusion or unnecessary alarm
• Maintains control over the dissemination of emergency information

How to send a WEA without selecting contact groups

If you need to send a WEA without targeting a specific group, you have two options:

Option 1: Select only the WEA publishing option

You can send a WEA without selecting any contact groups by ensuring that:

• Only the 'WEA' option is selected for the publishing method
• The 'Member Portal' option is NOT selected

If both 'WEA' and 'Member Portal' are selected, you will be required to include at least one contact group.

Option 2: Create a placeholder group

Alternatively, you can create a placeholder group with no members, which allows you to send the alert while technically selecting a contact group.