Posted on 10/03/2023 10:52:03 PM PDT by ransomnote
Release Date Release Number August 3, 2023 HQ-23-124 Release Date:August 3, 2023Test 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.
Turn off your cell phones
OH MY! THIS SOUNDS SERIOUS!
The DC drama never ends. What ever would we do without our 20 minute notice of a nuclear attack?
Continue to pester the idiots in the district of corruption to stop screwing around and DO SOMETHING USEFUL !!!
I don’t think it’s serious. If it was a serious system they seriously meant to use, why didn’t they use it when Hawaii was on fire? Lahania fire victims said no phone call to warn them and then their phones stopped working.
SO this seriously looks like the system works when they want it to, and it doesn’t when it’s not wanted. Remember the false missile alert in Hawaii a few years ago? That EMS system worked fine then.
I think I’ll crawl under my desk...oh wait that was last time...
I will be cruising at 37,000 feet, too bad.
NOW they tell us!
No, this sounds series, and I’m going to run for the hills and watch Playoff Baseball for the rest of the week.
Turn off your cell phones
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So when you turn it back on, there’s that text message, laughing at you now.
Have they done these in the past, because I’ve never gotten them on my cell phone. I turned off all the government alerts on my iPhone several years ago. I just re-checked my settings, and AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts, Public Safety Alerts, and Test Alerts are all turned off.
“Russia, Russia, Russia, give us more money”
ISWYDT
You’re going to miss out.
I'll have to drown my sorrows in the few dozen chocolate chip cookies I made earlier.
they have to test it before Re-election Day
First turn off your phone. Then stop, drop, and roll. Oh and ensure you fallout and draw ammo every morning. A crock of 💩at best. The 🤡show is here.
I can remember one. I was somewhere with quite a few people around, store or busy bank...anyway it’s like time stops cause everyone’s phones start going off at the same time. Then they all pause to read it.... It was kinda funny watching them.
Coming east at FL370.
Have a safe flight.
LOL! That must have been weird to see. I've had this iPhone for at least 8 or 9 years. I refuse to upgrade. It's the first and only smart phone I've owned. I don't use it for anything but calls, and the occasional text for doctor appointments and medicine refills. Not long after I got it, one afternoon while I was at home, an Amber alert popped up on it. I made sure I turned all that stuff off after that.
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