Emergency alert drill set for October 4

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. FEMA and the FCC are continuing to develop a nationwide alert system, and a test of the current technology is set for Wednesday, October 4.

The government is testing its emergency alert system and wireless emergency alerts by sending out a test message that will hit all radios, TVs, and cell phones nationwide.

The test will be this upcoming Wednesday, October 4 at roughly 2:20 p.m. ET.

The message on phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the national wireless emergency alert system. No action is needed.”

The wireless emergency alerts, the system that targets all cell phones, will be initiated using a FEMA system called IPAWS, or Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. All major wireless carriers have agreed to disseminate the alerts on their networks.

The test will collect data on the system’s capabilities to quickly alert the public in case of emergency.

But the catch, notifications for emergency alerts on your phone must be turned on.

“This is a big drill, it’s been years in planning, and it’s only the second time they’ve tested the wireless network nationwide,” said Jim Lopez, Deputy Director of St. Joseph County’s Emergency Management Agency. “They will be collecting data just to assess their capabilities as a country to get this out, all over, throughout there."

One thing to note, if this weekend does bring a government shutdown, Lopez said it is unclear whether the test will still happen.