Prepare Emergency Alert test for a scheduled disruption to your electronic devices this Wednesday afternoon, and don’t be alarmed; there’s a good reason behind it. At around 2:20 p.m. EDT, a comprehensive nationwide test of the federal emergency alert system will commence. This test will resonate through cellphones, televisions, and radios across the entire United States, reaching the majority of Americans with wireless cellular devices and those whose televisions or radios are tuned in during the test period.

What do we mean by an emergency alert?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is gearing up for a crucial test this Wednesday, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This nationwide test serves a dual purpose, involving the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for radios and televisions, as well as the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) for wireless phones. What makes this test particularly significant is that both alerts are scheduled to occur simultaneously.

This forthcoming event marks the seventh nationwide trial of the Emergency Alert System, with six prior tests conducted between November 2011 and August 2021. Moreover, it’s the third nationwide trial for wireless alerts and the second to reach all cellphones, according to FEMA.

During the test, while Wireless Emergency Alerts are dispatched to mobile phones, the Emergency Alert System messages will simultaneously reach televisions and radios. This synchronized approach aims to reach a wide cross-section of the population, ensuring that emergency information is disseminated as effectively as possible.

Joseph Trainor, a core faculty member at the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center, brings valuable insights into the equation. His expertise lies in the design and operation of disaster warning systems, with a specific focus on mobile and smart warning systems. Trainor has previously collaborated with government agencies in the United States and abroad to enhance their emergency warning systems and procedures.

“We know that they are effective systems,” Trainor emphasized. “Like any system, there are strengths and weaknesses. Factors like character limits, transmission capacity, and speed of dissemination all come into play. Every system has its limitations, which is why we emphasize the importance of not relying on a single method when building warning systems.”

In an ever-changing landscape of potential emergencies and disasters, having a multi-faceted approach to alerting the public is essential. As technology evolves and challenges arise, the coordination between systems like EAS and WEA helps ensure that vital emergency information reaches as many people as possible, when they need it most.

What’s the plan for executing the wireless test?

The wireless segment of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a centralized internet-based system managed by FEMA. This system empowers authorities to dispatch verified emergency messages to the public through various communication networks. The test will involve the transmission of a specific code to cellphones.

These wireless alerts are crafted by authorized government agencies at the federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial levels. They are then routed to participating wireless providers via FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a comprehensive platform that harmonizes national alert mechanisms across different media. This platform enables officials to swiftly send authenticated emergency messages through multiple communication channels, including television, phones, and radios.

Wireless service providers taking part in the integrated public system subsequently relay these alerts from cell towers to compatible phones within geo-targeted areas.

The overarching goal of these systems is to collaborate effectively, ensuring that crucial information reaches the right people through a multitude of channels. This way, individuals are equipped with the necessary information to make informed decisions about the risks in their vicinity.

Joseph Trainor, an expert in disaster warning systems, emphasized that research has shown that wireless alerts, such as text messages, are highly effective at capturing people’s attention. He pointed out that when cellphones emit a sound, people instinctively look at their devices.

It’s important to note that FEMA has assured that no personal data is collected from any individual’s devices during this process.

What is the duration of the wireless emergency alert test?

Cell towers will broadcast the emergency alert test for a duration of 30 minutes, commencing around 2:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. However, it’s important to note that each phone will receive the alert only once.

Throughout this half-hour period, wireless phones that are powered on and not in “airplane mode,” and are compatible with the alerts, should receive a test message. This will happen as long as they are within a certain proximity to an active cell tower, and their wireless provider is part of FEMA’s wireless alert system. It’s worth mentioning that all major wireless providers are participants in this system, although some older devices may not be compatible.

FEMA provides guidance that if you happen to be on a phone call at the time the alert is issued, the message and tone will be delayed until you conclude your call.

Individuals who receive the test alert on their phones will encounter a message displaying: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Furthermore, for those whose language settings are configured to Spanish, the alert will be automatically translated to read: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

In an effort to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities, these alerts are accompanied by a distinctive tone and vibration, as outlined by FEMA.

Can you choose not to participate in the wireless test?

While individuals have the choice to opt out of certain emergency alert messages from local authorities or subscribe selectively to specific alerts, it’s important to understand that opting out of the upcoming national wireless alert system test is not an option.

The reason behind this limitation is tied to the fundamental workings of the system. Cellphones are equipped to receive broadcast signals, and the integrated public alert system leverages broadcast technology to disseminate emergency information to cell towers. These towers then transmit the information to wireless devices within their geographic reach.

Joseph Trainor, an expert in disaster warning systems, emphasizes the broadcast nature of the technology, underlining that the system operates by delivering information to cell phone towers, which subsequently relay it to wireless devices. As a result, opting out of the national wireless alert system test is not feasible.

It’s worth noting that the forthcoming FEMA test has generated unfounded conspiracy theories online, which do not align with the actual technology and its functionality.

What is the procedure for conducting the test on televisions and radios?

The Emergency Alert System test is set to coincide with the wireless test but will be brief, lasting just one minute.

When it begins, this test will interrupt your regular TV and radio programs, regardless of the channel or station you’re tuned into. It will deliver a message that reads: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 2:20 to 2:50 PM ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

The upcoming Emergency Alert System test will closely resemble the typical monthly EAS test messages that the public is accustomed to, as per FEMA.

What is the purpose of conducting the alert system test?

Federal law has mandated that FEMA test the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System at least once every three years,Since 2015. These tests encompass various components, including the Emergency Alert System, wireless alert system, and other warning systems.

The upcoming test scheduled for Wednesday serves as an evaluation of the national alert system’s technological capabilities. Its primary goal is to assess the system’s capacity to reach and inform a large number of people in the event of a widespread emergency. In case unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather, disrupt the test on October 4, a backup date of Wednesday, October 11, has been set.

Joseph Trainor, a core faculty member at the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center, explains that conducting such tests is essential to understand the technological limitations of the system. While the ability to send alerts in smaller, localized areas is valuable, it differs significantly from the capacity required to distribute messages nationwide during a severe and widespread emergency.

Additionally, the test serves an educational purpose, similar to fire drills in workplaces or schools. It helps raise public awareness about how to respond during a national emergency. Trainor emphasizes that when people receive an alert, it prompts them to ask questions and engage in a decision-making process. Exposure to emergency alert tests can familiarize individuals with the procedures involved and prepare them to act swiftly in the event of an actual emergency. Warning systems initiate the process, but people must go through a mental and emotional decision-making process to comprehend the situation and take appropriate actions.