FEMA and the FCC will test the nationwide emergency alert systems Wednesday, October 4 at approximately 2:20 pm.
What this means: test messages will be sent to all televisions, radios, and mobile phones. From the press release:
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.”
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.
Note for those with hidden cell phones
Important info shared on Reddit:
If you know anyone who may have a hidden cell phone, e.g. someone making plans to leave a domestic violence situation, please let them know that they should have the phone turned completely off prior to 10/4.
But also make sure they know that the alert will still go off as soon as they turn it back on, so they should only do that when it’s safe.