FEMA and FCC nationwide emergency alert test planned for Wed. Oct. 4

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) on Oct. 4, 2023. 

The national test will take place at approximately 1:20 p.m. CST on Wed. Oct. 4 and should reach all subscribers of all major U.S. wireless providers who participate in Wireless Emergency Alerts. You should receive the national test if a mobile phone is on and within range of an active cell tower from a participating wireless provider. Wireless providers will transmit the national test for 30 minutes, but your phone should only receive it once.

The following can be expected from the nationwide test:

• Beginning at approximately 1:20 p.m. CST, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message. 
• For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, a unique tone and vibration accompany the alerts. 

A similar message will be played on TVs and radios that are on and tuned to a broadcast station, a satellite radio, TV service, cable, or wireless TV.

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