FEMA and FCC Will Conduct Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System on Oct. 4

Tomorrow, on October 4, FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) programs, to assess their operability.

According to FEMA, The WEA and EAS tests are scheduled to begin at approximately at 2:20 pm on Wednesday, October 4. The WEA portion of the test will use FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system that FEMA manages which enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test sends a code to cell phones. At 2:20 p.m., cell towers will broadcast the signal for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, 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. Meanwhile, the EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers. 

“We want to ensure that the systems continue to be effective, that the public understands and uses these alerts and warnings about emergencies, particularly those on the national level, as we work to strengthen emergency readiness among our communities,” said Orlando Olivera, Coordinator of FEMA’s Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico. Read more at FEMA or read a related news article.