FEMA and FCC Set To Test Wireless Emergency Alerts Next Week

A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts is schedules for the first week in October. FEMA and the FCC say the test is scheduled for approximately 1:20 pm pm Wednesday, October 4th. The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. The test message will display in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset. All wireless phones should receive the message only once. 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.” The Deputy statewide interoperability coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Emergency Communication Networks division says “this system puts warnings where people will see them so they have time to react accordingly”. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions.