Government Preps for First Nationwide Wireless Alert Test on Oct 3

The Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct the first-ever nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts system Oct 3, an add-on to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for TV and radio, which will get its fourth test the same day. Wireless alerts will be sent to cell phones at 2:18 EDT, with the EAS alerts to TV and radio outlets at 2:20. The alerts will be sent using FEMA's internet-based Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The alerts will be issued under the header "Presidential Alert," and are the only kind of alert that FEMA can send out simultaneously and nationwide. The test was rescheduled from Sept 20 due to Hurricane Florence.