Cell phone users to receive ‘Presidential Alert’ test
By: Sarah E. Rooney
Email: news@abc6.com
Twitter: @ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Cell phone users that subscribe to participating cellular services will receive a Wireless Emergency Alert test to their mobile devices Wednesday afternoon.
Coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a ‘Presidential Alert’ testing a wireless national emergency alert system will be sent to cell phone users on Wednesday at 2:18 p.m.
FEMA posted a tweet about the test Wednesday morning:
The test is intended to test the “operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message,” according to information provided by FEMA.
The WEA test, scheduled to begin at 2:18 EDT, will prompt cell phone users with the following message:
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The alert will be accompanied by the same tone and vibration that users have experienced with previous alerts like Tornado warnings and Amber Alerts.
The test will only be received by users who subscribe to a participating cellular service and who have with cell phones that are turned on within range of a broadcast tower.
WEA alerts are intended to communicate to the public warnings about situations including dangerous weather and missing children.
According to FEMA, “radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers” will also receive a National EAS alert Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. The EAS system is intended to provide a way for the President to address citizens through communication devices during national emergencies.
Both tests were originally scheduled for September 20th, but were postponed due to Hurricane Florence response efforts.
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”
Both tests were originally scheduled for September 20th, but were postponed due to Hurricane Florence response efforts.
The WEA test will be broadcasted for about 30 minutes. The EAS alert will last for about one minute.
Cellular users cannot opt out of the WEA Test.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018
