BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The federal government will conduct a nationwide test of the emergency alert system at 2:20 p.m. Oct. 4. The alert will go to cellphones, televisions, AM/FM radios, satellite and weather radios, and smartwatches across the United States.
Most Americans with wireless cellular devices will receive an emergency alert much like those activated during an Amber Alert, including a loud alarm and a text message. Audio instructions will follow the alarm on radios and televisions.
Kayla May, Martin County’s Emergency Services director, explained that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct test.
The test will consist of two portions: the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for radios and TV and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) for cellphones and other wireless devices. Both will occur at the same time.
“The nationwide test marks the seventh conducted since 2011,” said May. “It will be the third nationwide test transmitted to all cellphones.”
Federal Emergency Management’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System is a platform that unifies national alert systems for a range of mediums.
“Wireless providers that participate in the integrated public system then dispatch alerts from their cell towers to all compatible phones in geo-targeted areas,” explained May. “The idea is that all these systems are trying to work together to get information out as quickly as possible to the right people, in as many ways as possible. Every second counts. An advanced notice is crucial to save lives during an actual emergency.”
May added, “When an alarm sounds on a cellphone, it immediately captures your attention. You’re going to look to see what it says.”
Cell towers will broadcast the emergency alert test for up to 30 minutes. Some older mobile devices may not be compatible.
The test will interrupt regular television and radio programming, regardless of channel or station.
To make the wireless test more accessible for people with disabilities, alerts will be accompanied by a unique tone and vibration that FEMA developed.
“Wednesday’s test will evaluate the technological capabilities of the national alert system to reach and inform as many people as possible in case of a widespread emergency,” May said. “If at some point in time, there is a catastrophic event that requires a nationwide emergency alert, FEMA needs to know now where their weak spots in the system are, what works and what failed so any issues can be corrected. We must be as prepared as possible.”
Today’s test has sparked a wave of conspiracy theories online, but May said rumors misrepresent how the technology works.
“I have heard that people are being advised to turn off their cellphones and opt out of receiving the alert for safety reasons, but the only purpose I’ve been able to validate that could pose a danger and be a true reason for doing so would be for those who may be victims of domestic violence or abuse and have a cellphone they keep hidden in case they need call for help,” stated May. “In those situations, turning them off is a smart move. If they are turned on, the alarm will sound.”