The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have announced plans to conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System next week, affecting millions of Americans. FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) can broadcast emergency alerts to any wireless device in the country, including phones, radios and televisions. The system is designed to instantly alert the public during times of crisis.
On Tuesday, FEMA announced that the next nationwide test would take place on November 17 at 2:20 p.m. The alert will be broadcast on television and radio, FEMA said, and the "interruption is expected to last about one minute." Cellphones will not be affected. The test is conducted at least once every three years.
This year, it comes as governments around the world, including the United States, have advised citizens to start stockpiling provisions in case of an emergency, such as war, extreme weather or a major cybersecurity threat. Newsweek has contacted FEMA for further comment. Implemented in 2006 during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, IPAWS allows the president—along with federal, state, local, territorial and tribal bodies—to send alerts to the public.
There are three types of alerts: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), Emergency Alert System (EAS) alerts, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Weather Radio. WEAs—which were the subject of the last nationwide check, in 2023—send emergency messages to mobile phones in affected areas. When an alert is issued through this method, cell towers transmit the signal to every device connected to that tower, ensuring blanket coverage.
Messages sent via this method can be up to 360 characters in length and emit a special tone when broadcast, so users know it is an emergency alert. These alerts come in three categories: Amber, Imminent Threat and Presidential. The first two categories can be opted out of, but presidential alerts cannot.
EAS alerts, like the one set to be broadcast next Tuesday, deliver emergency notifications via radio and television bulletins. They are designed to allow the president to address the American public within 10 minutes of a national emergency. According to FEMA, "The test will include alert tones to support accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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