Don't be alarmed - National Emergency Test on all mobile phones beginning 2:18 Wednesday Oct 3rd

SHORT VERSION :
The alert will sound even if your phone is on do not disturb or mute. Phone would have to be off to avoid this. The alert will sweep thru systems for 30 minutes so the timing on when it will hit your phone is anytime during the 30 minute period from 2:18 PM EDT to 2:48 PM EDT. It will also sound on TV's and radios and maybe smart watches, they're not sure!

DETAILED VERSION:

By COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press |

Updated: Tue 3:55 PM, Oct 02, 2018

About 225 million electronic devices across the United States will wail and buzz Wednesday afternoon as the Federal Emergency Management Agency conducts an emergency alert test.

A tone will sound at 2:18 p.m. EDT, similar to that of an Amber Alert or flood watch warning, and the subject of the alert will read: "Presidential Alert" and text will say: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

It is the first test of the national wireless emergency system by FEMA. The message will be broadcast by cell towers for 30 minutes, so it's possible some people may get it at a different time. The alerts will sound as long as the device is turned on — even if it's on mute or do not disturb, and it may also appear on smart watches, officials said.

A second alert on television broadcast and radio will go off at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The TV and radio alert has been tested for several years.

The system test is for a high-level "presidential" alert that would be used only in a nationwide emergency. It is being completed in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission. FEMA officials said Tuesday they would share test result data on how the testing went with mobile carriers to help ensure the system works well in a true emergency.

Phones with mobile carriers that participate in the wireless emergency alert system, which sends out information on hazardous weather, or missing children, will get the alert. FEMA officials estimate it will reach about 75 percent of all mobile phones in the country, including phones on all of the major carriers.

The wireless alert system launched in 2012. While users can opt out of messages on missing children and natural disasters, they can't opt out of the presidential alerts, which are issued at the direction of the White House and activated by FEMA.

FEMA officials said the administration can only send such an alert for national emergencies or if the public were in peril, rules outlined in a 2006 law, and they say it can't be used for any sort of personal message from the president.

A group of New Yorkers filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York arguing they should not be compelled to receive the alerts under their right to free speech.

 

I remember those days, too. Makes you wonder how we've made it this far without an alert for every gust of wind. The weather and other alerts are so common now they're fairly ignored - just like a car alarm. I guess we'll see what happens this afternoon when every mobile device, TV and radio across the country lights up at roughly the same time!

 

Hah! That is an interesting scene. I think I'll be sure to be in a public place at the appointed time just to observe. You know a lot of people will be clueless!

Also, though, you reminded me of a long forgotten device. The dreaded pager! I thought I was so special when my company thought I was important enough to issue a pager to me. The ego of youth, I guess. Anyway, didn't take long to want to throw it in a lake!