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A nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test is scheduled to be conducted on Wednesday, Aug. 11 on radios, televisions, and cellphones where users have opted in to receive alerts.
The test is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is expected to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.
According to officials, the EAS portion of the test, which is on radio and television, will last about one minute, while the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) to cellphones will be sent out once to users who have opted to receive such messages.
For consumers who have opted in to receive WEA test messages, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
According to FEMA, the message will display in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the device.
FEMA said that the two government agencies are coordinating with "wireless providers, emergency managers, and other stakeholders" to "minimize confusion" and "maximize the public safety value of the test."
“The purpose of the Aug. 11 test is to ensure that the EAS and WEA systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level,” FEMA posted in a press release.
“Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems helps to assess the operational readiness of alerting infrastructure and to identify any needed technological and administrative improvements.”
Officials noted that in the event the Aug. 11 test is canceled due to a significant event or severe weather, it will be rescheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 25.
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