Your Mobile Device Will Receive Test Alert Today

REISTERSTOWN, MD — People who will be in or near Washington, D.C., between 10 and 11 a.m. this morning will be part of a regional Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) System test. Cell phones or other mobile devices in the area will receive the following message: “A test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts System. No action required.” WEA triggers a loud noise and text message on cell phones and enabled mobile devices.

Twenty jurisdictions in the Washington area, including the District of Columbia, will simultaneously issue a test message to the public through the WEA system. In Maryland, the local jurisdictions include:

• City of Bowie
• City of College Park
• City of Gaithersburg
• City of Greenbelt
• City of Takoma Park
• City of Rockville
• Charles County
• Frederick County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George’s County

In Virginia, the local jurisdictions include:

• City of Alexandria
• City of Fairfax
• City of Falls Church
• City of Manassas
• City of Manassas Park
• Arlington County
• Fairfax County
• Loudoun County
• Prince William County.

“Testing these notification systems is an important part of our preparedness system,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. “During an imminent weather emergency or other serious threat, these alerts will save lives.”

During this test, it is possible that individuals may receive more than one alert message. Those who travel from one jurisdiction to another may hear messages from each jurisdiction. Also, people who live or travel in areas near the jurisdictions listed above may also receive the message because this technology uses cellular carrier towers.

Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems help assess the operational readiness of the system and identify any improvements. Public safety officials need to be sure that in times of an emergency or disaster, they have reliable methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public.

“Drills like these help us to ensure that our systems allow emergency managers to quickly communicate with you,” said Russ Strickland, executive director of MEMA. “During an incident, it is important to listen to messages and information from federal, state and local officials and communicate any protective actions with your family, friends and neighbors.”

Since its launch in 2012, the WEA system has been used more than 33,000 times nationwide to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children and other critical situations.

For additional information on WEA, click here.

Release: Maryland Emergency Management Agency

Image: Maryland Emergency Management Agency