Today is the day for the US government’s big emergency alert drill, which will send a test message at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern time to every TV, radio and cell phone in the nation.
The test will occur simultaneously across time zones, so people in the middle of the country can expect it at 1:20 p.m. Central Time, or 12:20 p.m. Mountain Time. On the West Coast it will be at 11:20 a.m. Pacific Time. In most of Alaska it’s at 10:20 a.m., and in Hawaii, 8:20 a.m. local time.
Most Americans with wireless cellular devices will receive an emergency alert message on their phones, as will most whose televisions or radios are on when the test occurs.
What is the purpose of the national test?
The national test will help ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS)
continue to be effective ways to warn the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.
Why are they testing this system now?
Legislation passed in 2015 requires FEMA to conduct nationwide tests of IPAWS at least once every three years. The
tests can include WEA, EAS and other alert and warning systems. The most recent national test was in 2021.
What will the national test display on my mobile phone?
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The test will include tones and vibration to capture your attention.
How long is the wireless emergency alert test?
Cell towers will broadcast the emergency alert test for 30 minutes, starting at approximately 2:20 p.m. EDT today, but each phone should only receive it once.
During that half-hour, wireless phones that are turned on, not in “airplane mode” and compatible with the alerts should receive a test message, as long as they are located within a certain range of an active cell tower and their wireless provider participates, FEMA said. All major wireless providers participate in FEMA’s wireless alert system. Some older devices may not be compatible.
FEMA notes that if you’re on a phone call at the time of the alert, the message and tone will be delayed until you hang up.
People who receive the test alert on their phones will see a message that reads: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
[Read More at CBS News]
Thanks for the notification. This wouldve totally have freaked out my mom