The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are gearing up to conduct a national test of the public alert and warning system. This test, scheduled for Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. ET, will reach nearly all smartphones connected to cellular networks with a message accompanied by an alert sound and vibration, stating: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."
The purpose of these FEMA tests is to ensure that the U.S. government can effectively communicate critical messages to Americans during emergency situations. A law passed in 2015 mandates that FEMA carries out a nationwide test every three years.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell emphasized the importance of keeping the public informed in crucial situations, highlighting the significance of these tests in achieving that goal.
Television and radio stations will also broadcast the same message concurrently. This marks the third nationwide test of the alert system, with the most recent one taking place in August 2021. Additionally, the U.S. president has the capability to send messages using the same system, a feature that was tested in 2018.
It's important to note that the alert sound cannot be disabled on smartphones if they are powered on. While some government alerts, like Amber alerts, can be opted out of using settings on iPhones and most Android smartphones, this specific test cannot be opted out of, according to FEMA.
