Source: Chesnot / Getty
Today FEMA will conduct its first ever test of a Presidential alert today using both the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA). The WEA message will be issued at 2:18 pm EDT and the EAS message will be issued at 2:20 pm EDT.
The WEA test will send a message to cell phones, saying “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Unlike amber alerts or other local alerts, users cannot opt out of a Presidential level alert, so everyone with a WEA capable cell phone should get this message.
The EAS test should read:
“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 nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”
