FEMA and FCC to Conduct Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on Wednesday, October 4th

On Wednesday, October 4th, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The test will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET and will be broadcast to cellphones, televisions, and radios across the United States.

The EAS test will be broadcast on television and radio, while the WEA test will be sent to wireless phones. The WEA test message will read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.” Most Americans with wireless cellular devices will receive the WEA message, as will most whose televisions or radios are on when the test occurs.

The purpose of the test is to ensure that the EAS and WEA are operating effectively. This is the fourth nationwide test of the EAS and WEA. The first test was conducted in November 2011, and the most recent test was conducted in September 2016.

The EAS and WEA are used to alert the public of national emergencies, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and public safety threats. The EAS is also used to broadcast Amber Alerts and Presidential Alerts.

The test is expected to last approximately one minute. During that time, the public is asked to not call 911 or other emergency services. The test is only a test and no action is required.