Phones all throughout the United States are preparing to ring out with an alarm that you won’t have set yourself as October 4 draws near.
On this date, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) will be tested across the country by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The national test will be a critical assessment of WEA and EAS’s capabilities. On Wednesday, October 4, the testing is anticipated to start at roughly 2:20 PM ET.
The third nationwide test for WEA and the seventh for EAS both take place during this event. In order to ensure that these systems are effective at alerting the public to situations, especially ones that aren’t immediately life-threatening.
Emergency Wireless Alerts (WEA)
All consumer cell phones are intended to be accessible by the WEA section of the test. Cell towers will start broadcasting the WEA message as the test starts, and they will do so for about 30 minutes. Your cell phone must be turned on, in range of an operational cell tower, and your wireless provider must be a WEA participant in order to receive this test message.
The language settings on your cell phone will determine whether English or Spanish is used to display the message. This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System, the message is expected to say. Nothing needs to be done.
System for Emergency Alerts (EAS)
Radios and televisions will be the focus of the test’s EAS section. Radios and TVs will broadcast the EAS test message, which is comparable to the normal monthly EAS test messages that the general public is accustomed to hearing, at 2:20 p.m. ET.
A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will be conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 14:20 to 14:50 ET, according to the message. Just consider this a test. The public does not need to take any action.
To make sure the national test goes off without a hitch and successfully, FEMA and the FCC are tirelessly working in coordination with other stakeholders, such as emergency managers, cellular carriers, and other organizations. The authorities want to reduce uncertainty while maximizing the test’s value for public safety.
False Claims Disproven
Numerous untrue allegations and conspiracies have been spread on social media in the days before the countrywide test. Some claim that the test will cause nanoparticles in people’s bodies, such as graphene oxide, to become active. These assertions have been extensively refuted. The test is a regular operation and won’t send out signals that cause the body to release chemicals.
These unsubstantiated rumors are the result of false information about the components of COVID-19 vaccinations, which don’t contain graphene oxide or other similar nanoparticles.
The Test’s Objective
The statewide test is a crucial exercise to make sure that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) continue to be useful instruments for informing the public about emergencies. When calamities such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other threats to public safety occur, these systems are essential in safeguarding property and saving lives.
These tests are carried out by FEMA and the FCC to maintain the dependability and readiness of these crucial communication systems.
On October 4, at around 2:20 p.m. ET, the nationwide exam is expected to start. It’s crucial to keep in mind that if widespread severe weather or other serious interruptions occur, the test may be moved to October 11.
Cell phones, radios, and televisions will all broadcast the appropriate WEA and EAS messages during the test. The messages are intended to let the public know that this is just a test and that nothing has to be done.
This extensive statewide test serves as a reminder of the significance of effective emergency communication systems and the necessity of continuing testing and readiness to guarantee public safety in disaster situations.
