(Washington D.C.) - FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this fall.

 

The national event, consisting of testing WEA and EAS capabilities, is scheduled to begin at about 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

 

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones, making this the third nationwide test, but only the second test for all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or Spanish, depending on one's language settings.

 

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radio and television stations and 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 maximize the public safety value of the test.

 

According to FEMA officials, the purpose of the Wednesday test is to ensure that their systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on a national level.

 

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.”

 

That’s similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages that state “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is only a test.  No action is required by the public.”