The Maui News
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of two key emergency alert systems on Wednesday.
The tests of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts will take place at 8:20 a.m. Hawaii time.
Local emergency management partners, including the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, will participate in the national test. Text messages will be sent to connected TVs, radios and cellphones across the U.S.
Unlike the monthly testing routinely conducted by HI-EMA, Wednesday’s test will not include activation of the all-hazard statewide outdoor warning siren system; it will take place only via cellphones and similar wireless devices, TVs and radios, according to a news release.
The test is intended to ensure that the alert systems remain an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. If conditions — such as nationally widespread severe weather — on the planned test date require rescheduling the test, the backup testing date is Oct. 11.
The Wireless Emergency Alert test will be directed to all consumer cellphones. Beginning at about 8:20 a.m. Hawaii time, cell towers will broadcast the test for about 30 minutes. Compatible phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless provide participates in the alert program, should be capable of receiving the test message.
For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
The Emergency Alert System portion of the test via radios and TVs will be conducted at the same time. It’s scheduled to last about one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and TV broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and TV providers and wireline video providers.
The test message will be similar to the regular monthly test messages, stating: “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 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
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