A nationwide Emergency Alert System test is scheduled for 1:20 this afternoon.
The will interrupt TVs and radios, and you may also get an alert on your phone. All messages should clearly be marked as tests and convey a message similar to the following:
“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. No action is required.”
Not all mobile phones will receive test alerts. FEMA says even if you don’t get the test alert, you should automatically get real alerts.
This test gives FEMA, the FCC, and various agencies a chance to make sure the country’s alert system is working correctly, and identify any problems that need to be fixed.
