On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system. The test will last for approximately one minute and will be sent to all cell phones, televisions, and radios in the United States.
The EAS is a national public warning system that is used to alert the public about emergencies, such as severe weather, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. The WEA system is a similar system that is used to send emergency alerts to cell phones.
The purpose of the test is to ensure that the EAS and WEA systems are working properly and to help the public become familiar with the types of alerts that can be received. The test is also an opportunity for people to check their cell phone settings to make sure that they are receiving emergency alerts.
What to expect during the test
During the test, people will receive an emergency alert on their cell phones, televisions, and radios. The alert will be accompanied by a loud tone and a text message. The text message will say:
THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.
The alert may also include additional information about the test, such as the time and date of the test and the type of emergency that is being tested.
What to do if you receive the test alert
If you receive the test alert, there is no action required. Simply read the message and acknowledge that you have received it. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact your cell phone provider or your local emergency management office.
How to ensure that you are receiving emergency alerts
To ensure that you are receiving emergency alerts on your cell phone, make sure that your phone is compatible with the WEA system and that you have enabled emergency alerts in your phone settings.
On iPhones:
- Go to Settings > Notifications.
- Scroll down and tap Alerts > Government Alerts.
- Make sure that the toggle switch for AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts, and Public Safety Alerts is turned on.
On Android phones:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Wireless Emergency Alerts.
- Make sure that the toggle switch for Enable alerts is turned on.
- You can also choose to receive test alerts by turning on the toggle switch for Allow test alerts.
If you have any questions about how to enable emergency alerts on your cell phone, you can contact your cell phone provider.
