Alert test on October 4: Why millions of devices in the US will receive an alarm

Prepare to receive a text message on October 4, not only on your phone but possibly on several of your home devices. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (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).

The WEA test will target all consumer cell phones. All users will receive a message, which will display in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the device. This is the third nationwide WEA test but the second to include all cellular devices. This test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA, enabling authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to U.S. residents through various communications networks. According to FEMA, the WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones.

Authorized federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government agencies use IPAWS to generate and transmit WEA alerts. These alerts are then delivered to compatible mobile devices by participating wireless providers, specifically targeting geographic areas.

The EAS test, the seventh nationwide test, will be sent to radios and televisions. The alert message will be transmitted using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

When is the FEMA and FCC Emergency Alert Test?

The test will begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 4. In the event that the test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other events, the backup testing date is October 11.

What is the purpose of the test?

The test aims to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly on a national level. In the event of a national emergency, the alert will be triggered, immediately warning American citizens.

What will the message say?

The message that will appear on everyone’s phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” If the main menu is set to Spanish, it will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.” The alert will be accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.

The EAS portion of the test will last approximately one minute and will involve the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers.

TVs and radios will receive a similar message: “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.”

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