FEMA has scheduled a nationwide test of emergency alert systems for Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023, at 2:20 pm. NYSED has recommended notification of staff, students and parents of this test alert.
Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test scheduled for October 4, 2023
- On October 4, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test.
- The test includes sending a "test message" to all televisions, radios and cell phones.
- At approximately 2:20 pm Eastern Standard Time, all powered on cellphones within range of a cell tower will receive a test alert message as part of FEMA’s nationwide test of its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
- School and district administrators are encouraged to communicate this information to staff, students and parents as the test will occur during school hours, and in some cases coincide with school dismissal time.