Knox County, IL (March 2, 2026) Knox County Emergency Management Agency (KCEMA) is pleased to announce the official implementation of the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS). This new capability allows county officials to send immediate, targeted, and life-saving information directly to residents’ mobile devices, televisions and radio stations during emergencies.
Developed by FEMA, IPAWS is a modernization of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. By integrating IPAWS, KCEMA can now send Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to cell phones, as well as Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) messages to radio and television, simultaneously, even when cellular networks are congested.
“Our top priority is the safety of our residents,” said Galesburg Fire Chief and KCEMA Coordinator Randy Hovind. “Implementing IPAWS gives us the ability to provide critical, time-sensitive information, such as evacuation orders, flash flood warnings, or shelter-in-place instructions, directly to your phone. When time matters most, this technology will save lives.”
What residents need to know about IPAWS:
- No Sign-Up Required: Unlike our previous alert system, CodeRED, Wireless Emergency Alerts use cell tower technology to send messages to all phones within a specific geographic area.
- Targeted Information: Alerts will only be sent to individuals in the immediate vicinity of a danger, helping to avoid “alert fatigue” for those not affected.
- Emergencies Only: IPAWS will be used for severe, life-threatening events requiring immediate action.
- Sound and Text: Wireless Emergency Alerts emit a unique high-pitched sound followed by a text message.
This new system replaces the County’s previous alerting system, CodeRED. Residents who previously downloaded the CodeRED app may delete it, as IPAWS does not require registration or an application.
More information about emergency preparedness in Knox County is available on the City’s website. Residents can also follow the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/KCAlertNetwork.
***Courtesy of Galesburg Fire Chief & KCEMA Coordinator, Randy Hovind***
