On October 3, 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be conducting a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). For the first time ever, this test will send an alert to many cell phones with the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) feature. Not all cell phone providers will broadcast the alert & some older phones may not receive it, but most newer phones should sound an alarm & display the following message:
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Local radio and television stations will also broadcast the test message through the traditional Emergency Alert System (EAS).
The test is scheduled to begin at 1:18 pm on the 3rd.
Residents are encouraged to contact their cell phone provider if they do not receive the alert or want more information on whether or not their provider will carry the test.
As a reminder, all residents are encouraged to make a disaster plan, which includes how they would receive alerts and communicate, build a kit, and get trained on lifesaving skills.