FEMA

[Pappy]

https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20231003/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-test-messages-will

 

 

 FEMA AND FCC PLAN NATIONWIDE EMERGENCY ALERT TEST FOR OCT. 4; TEST
MESSAGES WILL BE SENT TO ALL TVS, RADIOS AND CELL PHONES
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20231003/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-test-messages-will]


Release Date: 
October 3, 2023 

WASHINGTON -- FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test
[https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/national-test-2023] of
the Emergency Alert System
[https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-system] (EAS) and Wireless
Emergency Alerts
[https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts]
(WEA) tomorrow, Oct. 4.

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 consumer cell phones.
This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all
WEA-compatible 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 maximize the public
safety value of the test.

The purpose of the 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)
[https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system],
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 in a geographic area where the 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.”
	* Similar to when your phone receives an Amber Alert, the WEA alert
tone is generally only played when the alert is initially received by
the phone and on some devices stops as soon as the user clicks a
button.
	* If a phone is off before the test alert is sent and not turned back
on until after the WEA Test expires (approximately 30 minutes), the
phone should not get the test message.

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."

NOTE TO BROADCAST OUTLETS: 

Please do not include the tones or Attention Signals in broadcast TV
or radio coverage about the Nationwide Emergency Alert Test being
conducted on Oct. 4, 2023. Doing so could result in a violation of
federal regulations, which prohibit the use of Emergency Alert System
codes (which are audible tones) or the EAS and WEA Attention Signals,
or simulations of them, except in actual emergencies, authorized tests
of the EAS, or authorized Public Service Announcements (PSAs).  
 

Edited October 4, 2023 by Pappy