COUNTY, CITY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE IMPLEMENTATION OF IPAWS WARNING SYSTEM

(Feb. 27, 2025) 

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- Midland County and the City of Midland are working together on a public alert warning system to help the ability of public officials to quickly and effectively communicate with the public during emergencies.

County and city officials, including those representing the Midland County Emergency Management Office, the Midland Fire Department and Midland Police Department, were present Thursday (Feb. 27, 2025) to announce the implementation of the IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert Warning System). The city and county will begin conducting controlled public tests of the system at the end of February.

IPAWS will use multiple channels to send out critical safety alerts, including:

• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Direct messages to cell phones within a specific geographic area.
• Emergency Alert System (EAS): Broadcast alerts via television and radio.
• NOAA Weather Radio: Alerts through weather radios for severe weather events.

County Judge Terry Johnson stated, “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. 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 added, "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. 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."

IPAWS is different from Alert Midland in that while Alert Midland is an opt-in system designed for neighborhood-level notifications such as road closures, water outages, and localized public safety updates, IPAWS is designed for broader, immediate emergency communications.

IPAWS does not require individuals to sign up -- alerts are automatically sent to everyone within the affected area, ensuring timely information reaches the widest possible audience during critical situations such as natural disasters, large-scale emergencies, or imminent threats to public safety.

IPAWS also represents a more effective and reliable approach compared to outdated and non-functional tornado sirens. Unlike sirens, which have limited range and effectiveness, IPAWS delivers precise, location-based alerts directly to individuals, regardless of where they are-indoors, outdoors, or on the move. This ensures that critical information reaches people quickly and clearly, reducing confusion and response time during emergencies.

Lastly, IPAWS will significantly improve communication with Midland’s large transient population, particularly the many workers in the Permian Basin who may not have opted into the Alert Midland system. Because IPAWS automatically sends alerts to all mobile devices in a designated area, it ensures that both residents and temporary workers receive life-saving information when it matters most.