FEMA & FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4, 2023

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (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) on Oct. 4, 2023.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 pm ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The WEA portion will be directed to all consumer cell phones. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions.

The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA and EAS tests:

• The message that appears on cell phones will read: THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.
• The radio and television message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages.

Full FEMA press release