On October 4th, FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to assess the capabilities of both systems.
The dual test is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The WEA portion will transmit a test message to consumer cell phones.
This represents the third overall WEA test and the second, reaching all compatible mobile devices. The alert will be displayed in English or Spanish based on the phone’s language settings.
The EAS test will be broadcast to radios and televisions, marking the seventh nationwide EAS drill.
FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with stakeholders like emergency managers and wireless providers to minimize confusion and maximize public safety value.
The goal is to evaluate the continued effectiveness of these systems for warning Americans about emergencies, especially on a national scale.
By testing the reach of EAS and WEA, officials can ensure these critical methods remain reliable for alerting the public about potential dangers.
