10/02/2023
🚨National test of wireless Emergency Alert System 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) at approximately 2:20 PM ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones, and 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.
WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets. 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. For wireless 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.”
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 occuring on the national level. If the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.
