On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 2:20 p.m. ET, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, consisting of two simultaneous parts:
Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA): This part will send alerts to all cell phones, including a distinctive tone, vibration, and a text message stating, “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The message will also be provided in Spanish. It’s important to note that phones turned off, set to WiFi, or in airplane mode will not receive the alert, as it will be sent through the cellular broadcast system. The distinct sound and vibration are designed to ensure that the notification reaches everyone, including individuals with disabilities.
Emergency Alert System (EAS): The EAS will notify all radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, as well as wireline video providers.
The primary purpose of this nationwide test is to assess the effectiveness of the emergency alert system in notifying Americans about various emergencies, national catastrophes, attacks, and accidents at the national level. FEMA will distribute the emergency warning through virtual private networks to television and radio stations and U.S. cellular companies, which will then relay the notifications to their customers.
For more information and details about the upcoming test, please click the link.
Stay informed and be prepared for this important nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on October 4th, 2023.