FCC, FEMA to Test Emergency System on Cellphones

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(TNS) – On Oct. 4, you will hear your phone go off. Rather than receive a text from a loved one or co-worker, it will be a nationwide test ordered by the federal government.

That day, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission will partner to test the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on Americans’ phones across the country.

This two-part test is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. EST, according to FEMA. The EAS test portion of the test will affect radios and televisions and last about a minute.

The message to accompany the test will say, “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.”

The test that will impact cell phone users will be the WEA test, the second time to be tested on phones but the third time in which the alert system has been tested. Phones will receive a text message displayed in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

In its statement, FEMA said it and the FCC were “coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.”

“The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level,” the statement read. “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.”

Wireless cell phones should receive only one test text, with broadcast towers carrying out the tests for around 30 minutes. The message will read “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

Phones set in Spanish will display “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

In order for the alerts to be accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities, alerts will include a unique tone and vibration, FEMA said. Your phone will sound even if it has alerts silenced, according to Parade.