FEMA to conduct nationwide test
Jordan Langdon | September 17On October 3rd at approximately 1:20 PM CDT, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is testing the capabilities of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, also known as IPAWS. IPAWS is a national system for local officials to provide emergency messaging to the public. Emergency Alert System test messages will be broadcast over radio and television stations. For the first time, a wireless emergency alert test message will be sent to compatible cell phones. The test will assess the readiness of the system to send out national alerts. These alerts are designed to notify the public as early as possible to keep everyone safe. FEMA has conducted significant coordination with the broadcast community, wireless carriers, and emergency managers in preparation for this national test. The test was originally planned for September 20th, but due to ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence, it was postponed.
