On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission will conduct a test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
The alert is set to happen between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. CT. Sometime in that half hour, the test will affect all cell phones and will last one minute, which may cause a temporary disruption in med center operations. It also will affect radio and television, cable systems, satellite radio, satellite television and wireline video.
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 the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.
All wireless phones should receive the message only once. During the half-hour time frame, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the test message.
- For consumers, the message that appears 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.”
- To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.