The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be conducting a first-ever nationwide test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) TODAY, October 3rd, 2018 starting at 2:18pm. Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT. During this time, WEA compatible cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the test message. Some cell phones will not receive the test message, and cell phones should only receive the message once. The WEA test message will have a header that reads “Presidential Alert” and text that says: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of receiving the WEA test. The message will also be broadcasted on radio, TV, cable stations, and Internet applications. This test is being conducted by FEMA in coordination with the FCC. For more information visit: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-test.
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