Djelics | E+ | Getty Pictures
In case your telephone, tv, or radio makes an alarming sound tomorrow round 2:20 p.m. ET Wednesday, do not freak out. It is solely a take a look at.
The Federal Emergency Administration Company and the Federal Communications Fee are set to check the nationwide public alert and warning system on Wednesday.
Almost all smartphones related to a mobile community will ship a message, alongside an alert sound and vibration: “THIS IS A TEST of the Nationwide Wi-fi Emergency Alert System. No motion is required.”
The FEMA checks are designed to be sure that the U.S. authorities can get essential messages to Individuals in emergency conditions. A legislation handed in 2015 says that FEMA must conduct a nationwide take a look at each three years.
“We wish to be sure that when it counts, we will preserve you knowledgeable,” FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell stated in a brief video.
TV and radio stations can even ship the identical message across the identical time. That is the third nationwide take a look at of the alert system, FEMA stated. The final one was in August 2021. The U.S. president also can ship a message utilizing the identical system, which was examined in 2018.
The alert sound cannot be turned off on smartphones if they’re on. No sign-up or subscription is required to obtain the alert. Whereas iPhones and most Android smartphones provide settings to opt-out of sure authorities alerts, similar to Amber alerts, customers cannot choose out of this take a look at, FEMA stated.