FEMA, FCC to send out nationwide wireless test Aug. 11

Cell users can expect ‘This is a test’ text message

National officials have scheduled a test for Wednesday, Aug. 11, to ensure their communication methods to reach Americans directly on their cell phones remains in-tact.

Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

The national test will consist of two portions, according to a press release, testing WEA and EAS capabilities.

Both tests will begin at 11:20 a.m. Mountain Standard Time on Wednesday.

The Wireless Emergency Alert portion of the test will be directed only to consumer cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages. This will be the second nationwide WEA test, but the first nationwide WEA test on a consumer opt-in basis.

The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The Emergency Alert System portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the sixth nationwide EAS test.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.

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, the press release stated.

You can find more information on the this nationwide test here.