Alert Warning Systems To Be Tested Today: FEMA

WASHINGTON, DC — Don't be alarmed this afternoon when you hear alert tones on your radio or TV station, and get messages on your cell phones. The first nationwide test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System will take place on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct the test, which encompasses the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert System. The systems provide emergency alerts and information from emergency officials to warn the public of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters or threats to public safety.

The WEA portion of the test begins at 2:18 p.m. Eastern Time, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. ET. The message will be broadcast on radio, TV, cable stations, cell phones and internet applications.

The WEA test message will read: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

The EAS message will say: "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."

The test is being conducted by FEMA in coordination with the FCC. For more information, click here.

Image via Shutterstock

Deb Belt of the Patch National Staff contributed to this story.