“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”
UPDATED September 18, 2018:
The emergency alert tests have been rescheduled for October 3, 2018.
Links to Public Notice Announcing the Rescheduled Emergency Alert Tests:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/nationwide-alerting-test-rescheduled-oct-3-2018
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-955A1.pdf
Txt: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-955A1.txt
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system and a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on September 20, 2018. If rescheduling is necessary, the alternate test date is October 3, 2018. The WEA test will be at 2:18 p.m. EDT and the EAS test will follow at 2:20 p.m. EDT.
The WEA test message will be sent by all WEA participating wireless providers to WEA-capable wireless devices throughout the United States and its territories.
The WEA message will read as follows:
- THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.
The EAS test will be sent by radio stations, television stations, cable and satellite systems, and others. The following EAS test message will be transmitted in English and Spanish and include both audio and text versions of the test message:
- 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. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones in the nation. Some cell phones will receive the message. Others will not. No action is required.
The FCC welcomes your feedback on the accessibility of this test, including any problems or complications observed in the delivery of the WEA or EAS test messages. To provide feedback through the FCC’s Public Safety Support Center, go to https://www.fcc.gov/general/public-safety-support-center and click on the “Public Safety Reporting” button. You will be directed to a form with instructions to “Please choose your issue below.” Click on the drop-down menu provided and select “Emergency Alert Public Feedback.” Complete the form to submit your feedback. People with disabilities who need assistance to provide feedback online through the FCC Public Safety Support Center may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Links to Public Notice Announcing the Planned Emergency Alert Tests:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-nationwide-emergency-alert-test
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-754A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-754A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-754A1.txt
Links to Order Granting Waiver to FEMA:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-grants-waiver-allow-wireless-emergency-alert-test
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-752A1.doc
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-752A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-752A1.txt
For more information, please contact Gregory Cooke, Deputy Chief, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-2351 or gregory.cooke@fcc.gov, or Linda Pintro, Attorney Advisor, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-7490 or linda.pintro@fcc.gov. Individuals who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432‐2275 (videophone). TTY users may call the FCC’s TTY number at (888) 835-5322.