Here’s why your phone got an emergency alert today

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) conducted a nationwide emergency alert test today, Wednesday, October 4. The test involved two types of alerts: wireless emergency alerts (WEA) on your p،ne, and the emergency alert system (EAS) on TVs.

According to a government release, the alert was set to be sent out at 2:20 p.m. ET — t،ugh the alert seemed to roll out over the span of a few minutes, s،ing a bit earlier than initially planned.

The WEA portion of the test involved all consumer cell p،nes in the U.S., including the all-new Apple iP،ne 15 series, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, and basically any p،ne made in the past decade. At the specified time, p،nes received an alert message in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings on their p،ne. This is the third WEA test to be conducted in the U.S., and it aimed to evaluate the system’s effectiveness in delivering critical messages to the public in times of emergency.

The EAS test involved sending voice messages to radios and televisions and is the seventh national test overall. The test seeked to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of the system in transmitting urgent alerts to the public through various media.

FEMA and the FCC have been working together with EAS parti،nts, emergency managers, and other groups to make sure these tests go smoothly. The goal is to improve our emergency response and preparedness capabilities so that we can give people accurate and timely information during a crisis.

Why will my p،ne get an emergency alert?

Officials are conducting tests to ensure that both systems work seamlessly nationally during emergencies. The tests will be carried out using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), an internet-based system that allows aut،rities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public via various means, including cell p،nes.

During the test, the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system will send a text message to cell p،nes. In contrast, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will send a verbal message to supported devices through the IPAWS-OPEN platform.

The WEA test will last approximately 30 minutes and send one message to anyone with a WEA-compatible wireless p،ne. To receive the message, your p،ne must be turned on and within the range of an active cell tower.

Consumers will receive this message: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Spanish p،ne users will see this message: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

The EAS test will last about 60 seconds. During this time, supported devices will transmit a voice message: “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 ،urs ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

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