Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, beginning at approximately 11:20am PACIFIC TIME, FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities.

The test and the loud audio alert will go to devices that receive signal such as cell phones, computers, radios, smart speakers, and TVs.

IMPORTANT - If you have a hidden cell phone because you are a survivor of domestic violence (or for some other reason), you will need to turn your phone off to avoid getting the loud audio alert from the test. 

• If a phone is off before the test alert is sent and not turned back on until after the WEA Test expires (approximately 30 minutes), the phone should not get the test message.
• See more info about silencing your phone for tests like this at techsafety.org.

Web pages

• Nationwide Emergency Alert Test - https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20231003/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-test-messages-will
• techsafety.org - https://www.techsafety.org/blog/2023/9/28/emergency-alerts-and-hidden-devices
• Cal OES news release - https://news.caloes.ca.gov/nationwide-emergency-alert-test-planned-for-october-4-2023/#:~:text=To%20help%20ensure%20the%20national,at%20approximately%2011%3A20%20a.m.