FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4, 2023 (2:20 ET)

FEMA.gov ^ | 10/3/2023 | FEMA

[ransomnote]

• English
• Español

 

Release Date	Release Number
August 3, 2023	HQ-23-124

Release Date:

August 3, 2023

Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios and Cell Phones

WASHINGTON -- FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.

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

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11. 

The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones. 

This year the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

• Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test 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. 
• 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.”
• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. 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. 

Important information about the EAS test:

• 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.
• The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “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.

[C210N]

There was one on October 3 2018. There is one type of alert that cannot be turned off... Presidential alerts, like this one.

https://www.fcc.gov/nationwide-emergency-alert-tests-rescheduled-october-3-2018

[Huskrrrr]

Good time to practice “End of the World” sex.

[gleeaikin]

This is supposed to be a test of the NATIONAL FEMA test system. Hawaii needed to have the local/state system used properly. Different people in charge in different systems.

[fruser1]

Unbeknownst to many, the nano-particles in the mRNA vaccines have now had sufficient time to assemble into an RFID device with host tissues.

This test will be performed by broadcasting a nation wide interrogation signal that will result in vaccinated bodies responding with ID number and location.

[SaveFerris]

Any distraction from The Disastrous Joe Biden Administration

[exnavy]

The following is a worthless message from the District of Corruption.

[exnavy]

It’s not about safety, all about control. Can imagine a future when they alert is sounded, the message is to get vaxxed from the latest whatever.

[DoodleBob]

That’s right, and that time it was the left that got their knickers in a twist.

Now it’s time for the easily-excitable righties to get all bunched up, and virtue-signal about how they’ll put their phones in a Faraday cage etc.

[Tell It Right]

They should refer to it as the Bowman Alert Test.

[Clutch Martin]

The last time they announced a similar test, I waited in anticipation... and never received the text.

Maybe doing another one of those Hawaiian THIS IS NOT A DRILL incoming ICBM test messages, would rattle some cages.

[Redcitizen]

Wrap yourself in a faraday bag to prevent it. /s

[cyclotic]

I was in church once when the alarm sounded as everyone’s phones began to scream at them.

[Harpotoo]

Everyone turn off your phones at 2 10 for 20 minutes so they dont know Who and Where you are;’)

[desertsolitaire]

Would EMP make commercial airliners and private small planes drop out of the sky and crash?

[The Louiswu]

Turn off the phone or this will happen to you

[dfwgator]

[dfwgator]

The message: ‘Be sure to drink your Ovaltine’

[Qiviut]

From some info I read, this is the one alert the phone companies will not allow you to turn off (government ‘edict’), unlike all the others you have turned off.

If your phone itself is off, you won’t get this one of course, and supposedly, you won’t get it in ‘airplane’ either.

My mom is going to lunch & a play today - play portion awards at 1:30 - I wonder how many phones in the audience will go off at 2:20? I have her phone turned off.

[Qiviut]

Awards? Should be ‘begins’ at 1:30