Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test To Hit TVs, Phones Wednesday

SALT LAKE CITY — A test of the Emergency Alert System will hit TVs, radios and phones across the nation Wednesday afternoon.

The test, which is performed by FEMA and the FCC, will take place at 12:20 p.m. MDT.

“The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster,” officials said in a press release.

The audio message will state: “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.”

Reminder: At 2:20 PM ET today, we will conduct a national test of the Emergency Alert System in coordination with @FCC. The test will appear on televisions & radios, while specially configured cell phones will receive an emergency alert test code message. #IPAWS pic.twitter.com/VPDMsvVEQ8

— FEMA (@fema) August 11, 2021

Visual representations on TV will differ depending on a viewer’s location and which channel they are watching. The alert will be carried by KSL TV during Wednesday’s noon broadcast.

“The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers (EAS participants),” official said.

FEMA will also originate a nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert test on Wednesday on capable devices. For this test, only those subscribers who have expressly opted in to receive WEA test messages will receive the test message.

“To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration. The test handling code will allow FEMA to test this capability while limiting test messages to those phones that have opted in to receive test messages,” officials said.

Those interested in opting in for WEA alerts can see more details here.