What to expect from the FEMA and FCC test of the alert systems that will be carried out this October 4 at the national level?

This Wednesday, October 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of emergency alert systems (EAS) and wireless emergency alerts (WEA).

The test is expected to consist of two parts, which will test the capabilities of the WEA and EAS alerts, which will begin at approximately 2:20 pm Eastern time, according to a statement from FEMA, which seeks to warn the public about emergencies. national

The WEA part will be directed to consumers’ mobile phones, while the EAS part will be sent to radios and televisions.

WEA part test message

In this way, the third national test of the WEA system will be carried out, but the second test for all cellular devices compatible with WEA.

In a test message, the following message will be displayed: “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. “No action is necessary,” and will appear in English or Spanish, depending on how the wireless phone’s language is configured, FEMA explained in a statement.

Also, similar to when your phone receives an AMBER alert, the WEA alert tone typically only plays when the phone initially receives the alert and on some devices stops as soon as the user clicks a button.

EAS test will be carried out for the seventh time

For its part, it will be the seventh national test of the EAS system, which will begin with a message that will be broadcast as a Common Alert Protocol (CAP) on radio and television stations, cable systems, radio and television providers. satellite and cable video providers, through the Open Platform of the Integrated Public Warning and Warning System for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

“This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which covers the United States from 2:20 pm to 2:50 pm ET. This is just a test. “No action is required from the public,” the EAS test message will say.

Both FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and other stakeholders in preparation for the national test, in order to increase the public safety value of the test and minimize confusion.

However, in the event that the October 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather conditions or other major events, the test date will be moved to October 11.