You have been forewarned. On Wednesday afternoon, the federal government will test the nationwide emergency alert system across the country.
The test messages will be broadcast to all radios, TVs, and cell phones. The test will vibrate and play sounds on mobile devices.
The test is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission in advance of actual emergencies. The test’s objective is to guarantee that the emergency messaging system will function properly should Americans be threatened by terrorism, natural disasters, or other threats to public safety.
You may be accustomed to the startling noises that accompany AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) and National Weather Service alerts. The same wireless network will be used to deliver Wednesday’s cell phone warnings.
When is the test taking place?
On October 4 at around 2:20 PM ET, the test is set to start.
The notice should only appear once within the 30-minute testing time. The test may be postponed if an actual emergency arises on that day; a backup test is planned for the following week.
What format will the test message take?
When displayed on a phone, the alert will say:
THE NATIONAL WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM IS BEING TESTED. Nothing needs to be done. “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia,” will appear on Spanish-speaking phones. There is no need for action.
Radio and television will announce:
“From 14:20 to 14:50 ET, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be testing the Emergency Alert System across the whole country. Just consider this a test. The public does not need to take any action.
Why is the test being conducted?
According to the law, FEMA must test the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) on a nationwide scale at least once every three years. A nationwide exam was last administered in 2021.