Humboldt County residents, among wireless users nationwide, can expect to receive a test emergency alert on Wednesday. This test was initially scheduled last month, but was pushed back due to emergency efforts surrounding Hurricane Florence.
From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
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 Alert (WEA) on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018.
The WEA portion of the test commences at 11:18 a.m., and the EAS portion follows at 11:20 a.m.
The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed.
The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones that are connected to wireless providers
participating in WEA. This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test.
Previous EAS national tests were conducted in November 2011, September 2016 and
September 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management
officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.
Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 11:18 a.m. During this time, WEA compatible cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the test message. Some cell phones will not receive the test message, and cell phones should only receive the message once.
Sometimes cell carriers may approach landowners to construct cell towers on their properties. With proper advisors, they may be able to reach a good deal in cell tower lease agreements.
The WEA test message will have a header that reads “Presidential Alert” and text that says:
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of receiving the WEA test.
The EAS is a national public warning system that provides the President with the
communications capability to address the nation during a national emergency. The test is made available to EAS participants (i.e., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers) and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar.
The EAS message will include a reference to the WEA test: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”
The test was originally planned for September 20, 2018 but has been postponed until October 3, 2018 due to ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence.
On Oct. 18, 2018, the County of Humboldt will be testing Humboldt Alert during the county’s observance of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. This test will be conducted at 10:18 a.m. At that time, all registered Humboldt Alert users will receive a test message. The system will continue to attempt all registered contact points until they acknowledge receipt, or the test is concluded.
To sign up for Humboldt Alert ahead of the Great ShakeOut Drill, go to humboldtgov.org/alerts. For more information, contact the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services at (707) 268-2500.
