WASHINGTON – The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct nationwide tests on Wednesday afternoon, during which every active mobile phone across the United States will emit a loud warning tone.
The simultaneous tests of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), conducted in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission, will affect every phone connected to a cell tower across the country, United Press International (UPI) cited FEMA.
Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2.20 pm ET on Wednesday.
The purpose of Wednesday’s test is to “ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level,” FEMA officials said in a statement.
In case the test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct 11.
The WEA test will target all consumer cell phones, marking the second such test for phones following a similar one in 2021.
It will include a loud, distinct tone, vibration, and a message displayed in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
The message will read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
It is being conducted using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) a centralised internet-based system that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks.
Meanwhile, the EAS test will be sent to radios and televisions with the help of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
It is scheduled to last one minute and will display the message, “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14.20 to 14.50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
The EAS was launched in 1997 to replace the Emergency Broadcast System and is often used regionally to inform residents about emergencies like AMBER Alerts and weather-related events. – Bernama
