On Wednesday at 2:20 pm ET, the federal government will conduct a nationwide test of its Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts. The purpose of the test is to ensure that these systems effectively warn the public about emergencies, especially on a national level.
Starting at approximately 2:20 pm ET, all wireless phones should receive an alert and a text message saying, "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." The text will be in English or Spanish based on your device's language settings, and it will be accompanied by a unique tone and vibration to make it accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities.
The test will be broadcasted by cell towers for about 30 minutes, so as long as your wireless provider participates in the WEA tests and your phone is switched on and within range of an active cell tower, you should receive the message.
Additionally, radios and televisions will also broadcast a test emergency alert for approximately one minute at the same time. The message will state, "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It is only a test and no action is required by the public."
Remember, there is no need for any action from you once you receive the test alert on your phone or hear it on the radio/TV. During the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, it is important for individuals to be aware of the purpose and procedures involved. This test, scheduled for Wednesday at 2:20 pm ET, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these systems in alerting the public about emergencies, especially on a national scale.
To ensure wide coverage, all wireless phones will receive an alert and text message with the notification, "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." This message will be provided in English or Spanish, based on the language settings of the device, accompanied by a unique tone and vibration that caters to individuals with disabilities.
The test transmission will run for around 30 minutes, relying on cell towers to disseminate the message. As long as your wireless provider participates in the WEA tests, and your phone is switched on and within range of an active cell tower, you should receive the test alert. Additionally, radios and televisions will broadcast a test emergency alert for approximately one minute at the same time, stating, "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It is only a test and no action is required by the public."
It is important to remember that once you receive the test alert on your phone or hear it on the radio/TV, no further action is necessary. By participating in this nationwide test, we contribute to the overall preparedness and effectiveness of our emergency alert systems, ensuring the safety of our communities during times of crisis.
Source:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/02/tech/emergency-alert-wireless-test-fema-fcc/index.html
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