A nationwide exercise to test the readiness of a national alert system will take place at about 1:20 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Wednesday, and it’s designed to have maximum coverage. All radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers are required by federal rules to participate in the test, which will begin with a national test message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Wireless Emergency Alert will then be sent by participating providers to cell towers, which will broadcast the test message for 30 minutes.
Members of the public will be able to receive the message if their phone is WEA-capable, switched on and within range of an active cell tower, and their wireless carrier participates in WEA. There are no charges for the delivery of WEA messages, and the alerts resemble a text message.
This is the third national WEA test. Unlike the previous test, which was delivered to users who opted-in to receive test messages, this year’s test message will be sent to all compatible cellular phones that are in range of cellular service. The message will be delivered using a unique tone and vibration. It will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Following the tests, FEMA is planning to conduct a targeted survey in conjunction with the nationwide WEA test. The survey participants have been notified and will provide their feedback on the test to help FEMA capture information about the geographic reach of the WEA alert message.
