The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are joining forces to carry out a significant national test. This endeavor, aimed at strengthening the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4. The testing includes the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and is intended to reach all wireless phones across the country.
What to Expect During the Test
Aware of the potential anxiety such a test might evoke, wireless providers are taking active steps to reassure the public. It is vital for everyone to understand that the alert is purely for testing purposes; there is no actual emergency, and no action will be required on their part.
Come 1:20 p.m. on the designated day, cell towers nationwide will kickstart the broadcast of the test, which is estimated to last for roughly 30 minutes. If all conditions are met—like having a WEA-compatible phone that’s switched on, being within the vicinity of an active cell tower, and being subscribed to a participating wireless provider—individuals should see the test message pop up on their screens.
The English message will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Meanwhile, for phones that have their primary menu set in Spanish, the message will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
To get the most out of this test, the public is encouraged to keep their phones on and handy during the specified time, ensuring they are familiar with what to expect in a real emergency. Importantly, recipients will not be charged for receiving this message.
Categories of Alerts
The Wireless Emergency Alert system is designed to communicate four main types of alerts:
- National Alerts: These are exclusively reserved for national emergencies.
- Imminent Threat Alerts: Covering a range of urgent situations, these alerts encompass natural or man-made disasters, extreme weather conditions, instances with active shooters, and other presently occurring or imminent threats.
- Public Safety Alerts: These notifications deliver information about threats that might not be immediate or might follow a recent imminent threat.
- AMBER Alerts: Focused on child-abduction cases, these urgent bulletins mobilize the community to aid in the search for the child and ensure their safe return.
This upcoming test will mark the third of its kind on a national scale, with the second targeting all wireless phones. The last such test was back in 2018. Those interested in further details can access more information on fema.gov.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that if the test on Oct. 4 is postponed due to unforeseen circumstances like severe weather or other major events, a backup test date has been earmarked for Oct. 11.
