Nationwide Phone Test will be Happening October 4: Here’s What You Need to Know
Warning! The federal government has issued a nationwide phone test for the emergency alert system. This will take place on Wednesday afternoon, October 4.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission are issuing this test to be prepared in case of an actual emergency situation.
They want to ensure that the test is running smoothly in the event that Americans are threatened, whether that is a natural disaster, terrorism, or any other danger nationwide.
Where will the alert be sent?
The test alert will be sent to all cell phones, televisions, and radios. Just like a national weather alert or an AMBER Alert, your phone will release a sound and vibration.
When will the test be happening?
The test is scheduled to sound off beginning at 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 4. The window to test this sound will remain open for 30 minutes. Once your device has been received, that should be it.
What will the test look like?
On cell phones, the alert will read:
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Phones set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
TV and radio will announce:
“This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
The last national test was in 2021. It is required by FEMA that the emergency alert is tested at least once every three years.
