Testing of National Emergency Alert System By FEMA & FCC
By Kashaf
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As a test of the Emergency Alert System (Wireless Emergency Alerts) and the Emergency Alert System, a nationwide emergency alert will go out Wednesday at 11:20 AM.
According to a news release by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, the Wireless, Emergency Alert portion of the alert test will only be sent to cell phones where the consumer has opted to receive text messages from WEA.
All radios and televisions within the U.S. will receive the Emergency Alert System test.
Officials can test these alert systems regularly to ensure that they are functioning in an emergency.
The following information is important:
- The Aug. 11 test aims to verify that EAS and WEA systems are still effective in warning the public of emergencies at the national level. Periodic testing of warning and public alert systems is necessary to determine if they are operationally ready and any technological or administrative improvements that may be required.
- The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized Internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will only be administered using a code that alerts only phones who have signed up to receive WEA tests messages. FEMA-designated Primary Entry Point stations will initiate the EAS portion.
- If the Aug. 11 test is canceled due to severe weather or other significant events, then a backup testing date has been set for Aug. 25
References: Business Journal – FEMA
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