Does your phone ring in class? – FEMA testing the Emergency Alert System

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be partnering with the Federal Communications commission to conduct a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  

There will be 2 parts of the test. The first part will be testing the Emergency Alert System, and the second part will test the Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA).  

Both tests will begin at approximately 1:20 CT on Wednesday, Oct. 4th.  

What does this mean for you?

The WEA portion of the test will send an alert to all cellular devices. While the EAS portion will be sending messages to radios and televisions.  

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with participants, wireless providers, and emergency managers to minimize confusion and maximize the public safety value of the test.  

The test on October 4th will help ensure that the current system remains as an effective means of informing the public. If there is widespread weather or any other significant event, then the test date will be postponed to Oct. 11th.  

What will happen? 

The FEMA press release states, “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.”” 

On October 4th at 1:20 PM, CT be prepared for the classroom to panic when every phone starts ringing. If your phone does not ring, just be sure to let them know that Herd Media warned you.