On Wednesday, August 11, at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time, FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). Both tests will be sent at the same time. The EAS test will be sent to radios and televisions, while the WEA test will be sent to cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster.
On cell phones, the test message will be sent between 11:20 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. approximately. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.
On radios and televisions, the test message will be similar to the familiar, monthly EAS test messages. It will state: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. No action is required.”
“It’s encouraging to see federal, state and local agencies partnering on these tests,” says Chapman’s Chief of Public Safety Randy Burba. “During emergencies, these alert systems can help get important messages out quickly.”
