Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Nationwide Test – Important Information for Inyo County Residents

Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency  Alerts (WEA) Nationwide Test – Important Information for  Inyo County Residents 

In coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency  (FEMA) is set to conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts  (WEA) this fall. This test is an essential step in ensuring the effectiveness of emergency communication systems  during critical situations.

The national test is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 4, beginning at approximately 11:20 a.m. PT.  This test will consist of two portions: the WEA test and the EAS test.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Test: 

During the WEA test, all consumer cell phones will receive a test message. This will be the third nationwide  test and the second test specifically directed to all cellular devices. The test message will appear in either  English or Spanish, based on the language settings of your wireless device. Please note that this test will only  be initiated on compatible phones within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless provider  participates in WEA.

For those whose main menu is set to English, the message on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the  National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” For phones with the main menu set to  Spanish, the message will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No  se necesita acción.”

Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test: 

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions, and it is the seventh nationwide EAS test.  The EAS test is expected to last approximately one minute and will include a message similar to the regular  monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The message will state: “This is a nationwide test  of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United  States from 11:20 to 11:50 hours PT. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

FEMA and the FCC are working closely with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and other  stakeholders to ensure that this test is conducted smoothly and to maximize the public safety value of the test. The  purpose of this nationwide test is to ensure that these communication systems remain effective in alerting the public  about emergencies, particularly those at the national level.

In the event that the October 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the  back-up testing date is set for Wednesday, October 11.

Stay Informed with Code Red: 

In addition to the nationwide test, we encourage all Inyo County residents to sign up for Code Red, our local  emergency notification system. Code Red allows us to send important alerts and notifications directly to your  phone, ensuring that you stay informed about local emergencies and critical situations. To sign up for Code  Red, please visit our website at ready.inyocounty.us and select the “Sign Up For Emergency Alerts” icon.

We remain committed to the safety and well-being of our community, and we appreciate your participation in these  important tests and preparedness efforts.

For more information and updates on emergency preparedness, please visit ready.inyocounty.us or contact the Inyo  County Office of Emergency Services at 760-878-0120.

News Staff