0 Facebook Twitter Reddit
FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on October 4, with test messages sent to all iPhones, TVs and radios.
The test is scheduled for 14:20. The Eastern event on Wednesday, October 4th will consist of two parts that will take place simultaneously. The EAS section will be sending test messages to television at that time and radio and will be the seventh Inter-American test of its kind.
The second part of the WEA will focus on all consumer cell phones and smartphones. Although this is the third nationwide test, it will be the second to affect all cellular devices.
The last WEA test took place in August 2021.
WEA testing will be conducted using FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which is a centralized Internet-based system. operated by FEMA to send verified emergency messages over multiple communications networks.
During the test, the actual test message will be displayed in English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the device. In English, the message will state: “THIS IS A TEST OF THE National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action required.”
Noise will be produced at the same tone and volume as other National Weather Service warnings or Amber Alerts.
Smartphones that are turned on and have cellular access will receive the message, so devices configured to work only over Wi-Fi or in Airplane mode will not receive the notification.
iPhone owners who don't want to receive the Emergency Alert test can dial specific numbers to disable or enable the system for their devices. Dial *5005*25371# to enable test notifications or dial *5005*25370# to disable test notifications.
If the October 4 test is postponed due to severe weather or other significant events, a backup test date will be set for October 11.
