Nationwide emergency alert will be at 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday
Press Release, NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services today reminded New Yorkers that the federal government will issue a nationwide test of its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System on Oct. 4.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct the test, including the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, at approximately 2:20 p.m. EST on Wednesday.
The purpose of the test is to ensure existing alert systems continue to be an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, especially at the national level. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to all radios and televisions.
The WEA portion of the nationwide test will be directed to all consumer cell phones via IPAWS and will display in English or Spanish, depending on the phone’s language setting. IPAWS is an internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through several communications networks.
Wireless Emergency Alert
Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. EST, cell towers will broadcast the nationwide IPAWS test for approximately 30 minutes. WEA-compatible wireless phones should be capable of receiving the test message if the phone is switched on and within range of an active cell tower, and the consumer’s wireless provider participates in WEA.
All wireless phones should receive the message only once. WEA alerts will be accompanied with a unique tone and vibration to ensure they are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities.
The English message on consumer’s phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Phones set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
Emergency Alert System
The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers. The test message will be like the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar:
“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.”
