Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Planned for Wednesday
WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency and Wireless Emergency Alert systems on Wednesday afternoon.
The agencies said the test will begin at about 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 4, and consist of two portions.
The Wireless Emergency Alert System test will be directed to consumer cellphones.
This will be the third nationwide test of the system, but only the second test to all WEA-compatible cellular devices.
The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a centralized, internet-based system administered by the agency that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks.
The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cellphones. The agencies say all wireless phones should receive the message only once.
As for what to expect during the WEA test, FEMA and the FCC said beginning at about 2:20 p.m. Eastern time, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes.
During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and in a geographic area where the wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.
For consumers, the message that will appear on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
The WEA alert tone is generally only played when the alert is initially received by the phone, and on some devices stops as soon as the user clicks a button.
If a phone is off before the test alert is sent and not turned back on until after the WEA test expires, the phone should not get the test message, the agencies said.
As for the Emergency Alert System test, this year it will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks.
This portion of the test is scheduled to last just one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar.
It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
The agencies said the purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.
In the event that the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is Oct. 11.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue
