The goal is to have a unified voice in the test messaging and education to lessen the potential for public panic
CARMI, Ill. - Carmi Chief of Police Jason Carter has announced that he has received information about emergency alert testing coming up.
Carter said that a national alert test for both Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) capabilities will take place on September 20 at 2:18 Eastern Daylight Time. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will issue a Nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert testing the Presidential WEA capabilities. The test message will be available to all compatible cell phones. please note, some older cell phones may not receive the test message. The nationwide WEA test will be followed by a nationwide EAS test approximately 2 minutes after the WEA is issued.
The alert title will be “Presidential Alert” as displayed in the image presented here.
The use of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) will be utilized for both tests, WEA and EAS.
The test will happen during the school day, so FEMA/FCC have teamed up with the Department of Education to make sure all educators will be aware of the test.
An increased amount of sensitivity for preparedness and education is in current planning phases for the tests due to it being a Presidential Alert. This also may be the first time cell phone users will receive an alert. FEMA looks to have educational messages sent out publicly about a week prior to the test. The times and order of the tests are on purpose so that once someone sees the ‘THIS IS A TEST’ alert on their phone, they may go to a radio or television and can see the same alert that will emphasize ‘THIS IS A TEST.’
The goal is to have a unified voice in the test messaging and education to lessen the potential for public panic.
Authorities statewide, Carter’s announcement said, are asking that word about this test be spread to local public safety, 911, schools and media. More information can be found at this link.