ACRONYM |
TITLE |
DESCRIPTION |
ADR |
Administrative Message |
A non-emergency message that provides updated information about
an event in progress, an event that has expired or concluded early,
pre-event preparation or mitigation activities, post-event recovery
operations, or other administrative matters pertaining to the Emergency
Alert System. |
AVA |
Avalance Watch |
A message issued by authorized officials when conditions are forecast
to become favorable for natural or human-triggered avalanches that
could affect roadways, structures, or backcountry activities. |
AVW |
Avalanch Warning |
A warning of current or imminent avalanche activity when avalanche
danger is considered high or extreme. Authorized officials may recommend
or order protective actions according to state law or local ordinance
when natural or human-triggered avalanches are likely to affect roadways,
structures, or backcountry activities. |
CAE |
Child Abduction Emergency |
An emergency message, based on established criteria, about a missing
child believed to be abducted. A local or state law enforcement agency
investigating the abduction will describe the missing child, provide
a description of the suspect or vehicle, and ask the public to notify
the requesting agency if they have any information on the whereabouts
of the child or suspect. |
CDW |
Civil Danger Warning |
A warning of an event that presents a danger to a significant civilian
population. The CDW, which usually warns of a specific hazard and
gives specific protective action, has a higher priority than the Local
Area Emergency (LAE). Examples include contaminated water supply and
imminent or in-progress military or terrorist attack. Public protective
actions could include evacuation, shelter in place, or other actions
(such as boiling contaminated water or seeking medical treatment). |
CEM |
Civil Emergency Message |
An emergency message regarding an in-progress or imminent significant
threat(s) to public safety and/or property. The CEM is a higher priority
message than the Local Area Emergency (LAE), but the hazard is less
specific then the Civil Danger Warning (CDW). For example, the CEM
could be used to describe a change in the Homeland Security Alert
System level in response to a terrorist threat. |
EQW |
Earthquake Warning |
A warning of current or imminent earthquake activity. Authorized
officials may recommend or order protective actions according to state
law or local ordinance. |
EVI |
Evacuation Immediate |
A warning where immediate evacuation is recommended or ordered according
to state law or local ordinance. As an example, authorized officials
may recommend the evacuation of affected areas due to an approaching
tropical cyclone. In the event a flammable or explosive gas is released,
authorized officials may recommend evacuation of designated areas
where casualties or property damage from a vapor cloud explosion or
fire may occur. |
FRW |
Fire Warning |
A warning of a spreading wildfire or structural fire that threatens
a populated area. Evacuation of areas in the fire?s path may be recommended
by authorized officials according to state law or local ordinance. |
HMW |
Hazardous Material Warning |
A warning of the release of a non-radioactive hazardous material
(such as a flammable gas, toxic chemical, or biological agent) that
may recommend evacuation (for an explosion, fire or oil spill hazard)
or shelter in place (for a toxic fume hazard). |
LEW |
Law Enforcement Warning |
A warning of a bomb explosion, riot, or other criminal event (e.g.
a jailbreak). An authorized law enforcement agency may blockade roads,
waterways, or facilities, evacuate or deny access to affected areas,
and arrest violators or suspicious persons. |
LAE |
Local Area Emergency |
An emergency message that defines an event that by itself does not
pose a significant threat to public safety and/or property. However,
the event could escalate, contribute to other more serious events,
or disrupt critical public safety services. Instructions, other than
public protective actions, may be provided by authorized officials.
Examples include: a disruption in water, electric or natural gas service,
road closures due to excessive snowfall, or a potential terrorist
threat where the public is asked to remain alert. |
NMN |
Network Message Notification |
Not yet defined and not in the suite of products for relay by NWS. |
TOE |
911 Telephone Outage Emergency |
An emergency message that defines a local or state 911 telephone
network outage by geographic area or telephone exchange. Authorized
officials may provide alternative phone numbers in which to reach
911 or dispatch personnel. |
NUW |
Nuclear Power Plant Warning |
A warning of an event at a nuclear power plant classified such as
a Site Area Emergency or General Emergency as classified by the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC). A Site Area Emergency is confined to
the plant site; no off-site impact is expected. Typically, a General
Emergency is confined to an area less than a 10-mile radius around
the plant. Authorized officials may recommend evacuation or medical
treatment of exposed persons in nearby areas. |
RHW |
Radiological Hazard Warning |
A warning of the loss, discovery, or release of a radiological hazard.
Examples include: the theft of a radioactive isotope used for medical,
seismic, or other purposes; the discovery of radioactive materials;
a transportation (aircraft, truck or rail, etc.) accident which may
involve nuclear weapons, nuclear fuel, or radioactive wastes. Authorized
officials may recommend protective actions to be taken if a radioactive
hazard is discovered. |
SPW |
Shelter in Place Warning |
A warning of an event where the public is recommended to shelter
in place (go inside, close doors and windows, turn off air conditioning
or heating systems, and turn on the radio or TV for more information).
An example is the release of hazardous materials where toxic fumes
or radioactivity may affect designated areas. |
VOW |
Volcano Warning |
A warning of current or imminent volcanic activity. Authorized officials
may recommend or order protective actions according to state law or
local ordinance. |