The Partnership for Public Warning is a not-forprofit, public-private partnership established to save the lives and property of people at risk from natural disasters, accidents and terrorism by improving the nations alert and warning capabilities. PPW provides a collaborative, consensus-based forum where all interested stakeholders - public and private - are working together to develop processes, standards, systems and strategies to ensure that the right people have the right information at the right time. PPW's objectives include, but are not limited to: (1) Fostering communication, cooperation and consensus among key stakeholders: (2) Promoting and conducting research and studies into alert and warning issues: (3) Assisting and advising government officials on the development, implementation and operation of public warning systems, technologies, policies and procedures: (4) Supporting the timely generation of standards, specifications, and protocols: (5) Encouraging private sector investment in the development of new warning technologies and promoting the existence of such technologies to government decision makers; (6) Fostering a knowledgeable public and informed decision making by establishing, maintaining and providing educational materials and other information on warning technologies and programs. The Partnership is governed by an elected Board of Trustees representing local and state governments, private industry and the non-profit community. Federal agencies participating in PPW include the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce and Federal Communications Commission. (PPA, Protecting America's Communities, 2004, p. iii)