FEMA to conduct first nationwide wireless test next week

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - Just before 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 4, everyone will probably be looking at their cellphones to see a message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA will be conducting it's first-ever nationwide test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning Systems, Wireless Emergency Alert system and the Emergency Alert System.

The test is being done to assess the operational readiness of the IPAWS infrastructure that allows a national distribution of emergency messages via text, and to identify any technological improvements that may be needed in the system.

The test will take place in conjunction with the EAS and WEA system tests. The EAS test will work with radio, television and cable operators in all U.S. territories and tribal lands.

Lee County Emergency Management coordinator Steve Cirinna said the system is actually been in place for some time but they are doing a national test of the system.

"This is the same system they use for the Amber Alerts, that's the system their testing. They've used it quite a bit for Amber Alerts and some of the bigger disasters, but this is the first time they've done a national test of the system," Cirinna said. "People will get that alarm and then they'll get a text that will go off and show up on their phones."

"I haven't seen what the exact wording is, but it will test only where you have text capability and strictly on your cellphones."

The test was originally set for Sept. 20, but FEMA and the other agencies decided to push the event back a couple weeks while they dealt with the impact of Hurricane Florence on the nation's southeast coastal region.

Emergency Management, FEMA, Fort Madison Pen City Current, nationwide test, text alerts

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