When your cellphone, TV and radio sound an alarm next week, don’t worry. It is only a test.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is set to conduct a test of the nation’s emergency communication systems on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The nationwide test is slated to start around 2:20 p.m., FEMA announced in a news release.
The test is meant to determine how well the federal government’s mass communication system would work during an emergency. The last nationwide test took place in 2021.
Here’s what you need to know, according to the release from FEMA:
During the test, cellphones across the United States are expected to sound off with a “unique tone and vibration”. The alarm will be accompanied by a text message that will read “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The message will be sent in either English or Spanish, depending on which language a phone is set to.
Phones that are on, in range of an active cell tower and are serviced by a company that participates in Wireless Emergency Alerts should receive the message and sound off.
Working with the Federal Communications Commission, FEMA will also conduct a one-minute test with the nation’s radios and TVs. It will sound similar to the regular monthly tests viewers and listeners frequently catch.
The message will state: “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.”
If widespread, severe weather hits the United States, the test will be postponed to Wednesday, Oct. 11.
Source : Newyourk Up State
