FEMA And FCC To Schedule Nationwide Emergency And Wireless Alert Systems Test

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that they would schedule a National Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 4, @ 2:20 pm EST.

All consumer cell phones will receive the WEA portion of the test, while radios and televisions will receive the EAS portion.

Both tests have been performed and are standard procedures.

The WEA notification should be displayed on people’s cell phones within 30 minutes of the alert, reading: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.  No action is needed.”

Depending on the device owner’s chosen language preference, the test message will be displayed in English or Spanish.

The tests will be rescheduled for Wednesday, October 11, if a substantial occurrence, such as inclement weather or another significant event, occurs.

Plans for the tests are being made to ensure that the country’s emergency alert systems function correctly in the case of a real emergency.