Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on Wednesday

lights emergency

Stock photo by Oliver Cory

Press release 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. 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.

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33 Comments
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Chuck U
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Chuck U
5 years ago

I am pretty sure my 1999 Nokia isn’t going to notice.

tax this next
Guest
tax this next
5 years ago
Reply to  Chuck U

luck you. the rest of us get a trump tweet.

cove broseph
Guest
cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  tax this next

OMG !!!! Im so inconvienienced by a text !!!

trump is a fucking pervert moron
Guest
trump is a fucking pervert moron
5 years ago
Reply to  cove broseph

i am inconvenienced by annoying texts and calls. i am a busy person. being interrupted by a stupid fucking worthless national alert text is an inconvenience. but alas there is a solution – i disabled all alerts so trumps propaganda machine can go fvck itself.

did you ever think about this non-sense for more than a second? this is just another scare the shit out of the soccer mommies tactic by having them believe that there is a need for a national alert system in the first place. as long as we have boogymen the tax man can keep funneling tax dollars into the military/po-po complex.

instead of questioning the stupidity and expense of it all we run like lemmings off of the cliff. all we need is a mindless narcissistic dictator with short guy syndrome to take us straight to hell – oh wait.

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  tax this next

Oh noes !!

local observer
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local observer
5 years ago

I hope a new department will be created to vet the presidential alerts. I don’t see this going well for our nation.

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Oh stop being so dramatic, Jesus Christ …

SourTangant
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SourTangant
5 years ago

Thanks for the heads up Kym!

Ben Round
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Ben Round
5 years ago

One knowledgeable Commentator this morning said she could not imagine a scenario where a nationwide alert would be necessary. Maybe all out war? Tons of incoming missiles?
With the President we have, and his pattern to send out propaganda via ‘electronic messages’, coupled with his state of self-delusion, the following quote from the above press release is troubling. “The EAS is a national public warning system that provides the President with the communications capability to address the nation during a national emergency”.
What is in Trump’s mind a “national emergency” could be many matters others would not concur with as being such.

trump is a fucking pervert moron
Guest
trump is a fucking pervert moron
5 years ago
Reply to  Ben Round

FAKE NEWS!

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  Ben Round

According to “ local observer “ the alert system itself is a case of national security . What a weird circle of logic you guys weave

local observer
Guest
local observer
5 years ago
Reply to  Cove broseph

trump’s mental health is a concern and no president should have an alert system. he has successfully brainwashed his followers and now he may lead them down a dark path. the history books will be interesting to read in 20 years.

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer

“ no president should have an alert system “

You’ve heard of television and radio , no ?

shak
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shak
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer
Trolltastrophe
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Trolltastrophe
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Actually Clinton initiated it as a computer update to his little black book.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago
Reply to  Trolltastrophe

It’s been carried in the ‘football’, yet never tested. POTUS took the responsibility to test it before we ever need it.
The Dems should have been elated over it, considering the NK/Iran/China/Russia/all others fear porn they exalt in.
Why push the fear porn, yet not the safeguarding of American citizens?

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago

hahaha, this is the first time I’ve ever seen citizens terrified that an EBS could be used to out them.
Yo! It’s just a test. If and when we should ever have to use it, we’ll be thankful of the day they tested it and tweaked it to perfection.
At least I’ll be happy.
Come to think of it, I’d be over the moon joyful if they release the Tarmac Meeting audio we keep hearing about.

local observer
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local observer
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

I find it very old that you of all commenters is not concerned about a “presidential alert”. my concern is that its strokes his ego into full dictatorship mode. I won’t get them on my phone and have yet to hear him speak as president but have concerns on how this affects the youth which live in FOMO.

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Sounds like it’s your own mental health you should be concerned about . I haven’t heard this much tin foil hat conspiracy garbage since Bush was president .

You’ll get another chance in 2020 . Don’t completely lose your mind now

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer

That’s where we differ. I listen to POTUS himself and to none of the talking heads that are against him. You listen to the propaganda used against him but never to him himself.
I’m not scared or worried about him at all.
You are terrified.
I rest my case.

trump is a fucking pervert moron
Guest
trump is a fucking pervert moron
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

you listen to trump directly and you dont think that he has mental issues?

“We’re rounding ’em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And they’re going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesn’t sound nice. But not everything is nice.”

“I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”

“I have a great relationship with African Americans, as you possibly have heard. I just have great respect for them. And they like me. I like them.”

“They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

“The line of ‘Make America great again,’ the phrase, that was mine, I came up with it about a year ago, and I kept using it, and everybody’s using it, they are all loving it. I don’t know, I guess I should copyright it, maybe I have copyrighted it.”

MyFox New York, March 2015

(“Let’s Make America Great Again” was one of Ronald Reagan’s most well-known campaign slogans)

lets go grab some chicks by the pussy.

Shak
Guest
Shak
5 years ago

I fail to see your reasoning.
POTUS isn’t the one opposing the documentation system that’s needed for people to live a free and happy life in America.

Trolltastrophe
Guest
Trolltastrophe
5 years ago
Reply to  Shak

That’s because it’s absent.

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  Trolltastrophe

Explain

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago
Reply to  Cove broseph

For instance: ““We’re rounding ’em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And they’re going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesn’t sound nice. But not everything is nice.”

First, we have to define the word “’em”. Most will assume it means “them”.
2nd, we have to define the word “them”. Most will assume it means any person who disrespect the laws and chooses to enter another’s territory/turf/country unannounced.

Next, we have to define the word “humane”. Most will assume it means providing the person a chance to learn how and why they are being rounded up humanely. They are provided the help necessary to follow the ‘rules’.
2nd, we have to define the word “inhumane”. The act of being shot or hung on sight instead of being provided the opportunity to make amends and do it right the next time.

Third, we have to define the word “legalized”. The respectful way of entering through a doorway. Obstructing the pathway that allows the ‘them’ to become ‘legalized’ is illegal, not the ‘them’ who wish to enter ‘announced’. It’s as big of an honor to enter ‘announced’ as it is as big of a dishonor to enter unannounced. Those who wish to forbid the ‘them’ the right to become a part of an honorable system are the dishonorable ones.

In summary: POTUS is not the one who is obstructing the pathway to honor through proper announcement.
POTUS is not (yet) at the border shooting illegal invaders on sight. (inhumane).

It is up to all of us to stop listening to the (hate) propaganda that the 5 main CORPORATIONS control through media.
We instead need to listen to those who (love) work, play, worship, picnic, live, each other.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago
local observer
Guest
local observer
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

I don’t listen to anything except my CDs which consists of bands I like. I read. no cable TV since the dawn of the tea party.

tnt
Guest
tnt
5 years ago

Maybe this mass alert is to install CIA malware on every cell phone in America. Get em all at once. If anyone else is worried about it I would suggest remove battery, relocate phone to area out of tower coverage and cover everything you own in tinfoil.

General Turgidson
Guest
General Turgidson
5 years ago
Reply to  tnt

“Presidential Alert” my ass. They are after our precious bodily fluids. Mu phone will be off all day tomorrow. I aint getting me no CIA virus.

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  tnt

…. also , destroy all of your electronics that are WiFi enabled by pouring myriatic acid on them , do 50 Hail Hilary’s and 100 ; Racist , sexist , misogynistic, bigots

This is only a guest
Guest
This is only a guest
5 years ago

Re: TNT CIA malware

I thought the same thing except possibly KGB/FSB.

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago

Bwahahahahaha !!!!!

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago

Don’t forget DiFi’s spy who is now happily retired on taxpayer funds.
Speaking of China, this might be a worthy notable.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-10-04/the-big-hack-how-china-used-a-tiny-chip-to-infiltrate-america-s-top-companies