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NATIONAL EAS AND WEA TEST - OCTOBER 3, 2018

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by WQ2H, Oct 2, 2018.

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  1. WQ2H

    WQ2H QRZ Lifetime Member #214 Platinum Subscriber Life Member QRZ Page

    In the event this hasn't been posted - just an FYI for those interested:

    *PRESS RELEASE*

    *THE NATIONAL EAS AND WEA TEST WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2018,
    BEGINNING AT 2:18 P.M. EDT*

    wea_test_graphic_phone_only_081018.png


    WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in
    coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct
    a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts
    <http://www.fema.gov/frequently-asked-questions-wireless-emergency-alerts/>(WEA)
    and Emergency Alert System (EAS)
    <https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-system> on October 3, 2018. The test
    was originally planned for September 20, 2018 but was postponed until
    October 3, 2018 due to ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence.

    The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion
    follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of
    the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine
    whether improvements are needed.

    The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones that are connected to
    wireless providers participating in WEA. This is the fourth EAS nationwide
    test and the first national WEA test. Previous EAS national tests were
    conducted in November 2011, September 2016, and September 2017 in
    collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management
    officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.

    Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes
    beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT. *During this time, WEA compatible cell phones
    that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose
    wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the
    test message.* Some cell phones will not receive the test message, and cell
    phones should only receive the message once. The WEA test message will have
    a header that reads "Presidential Alert" and text that says:

    “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action
    is needed.”

    The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing
    children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The
    national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA
    messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of
    receiving the WEA test.

    The EAS is a national public warning system that provides the President
    with the communications capability to address the nation during a national
    emergency. The test is made available to EAS participants (i.e., radio and
    television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television
    providers, and wireline video providers) and is scheduled to last
    approximately one minute. The test message will be similar to regular
    monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The EAS
    message will include a reference to the WEA test:

    “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.”
     

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