UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to all radios and televisions and the WEA portion will be directed to all consumer cellphones. Cell phone users can expect to receive a text message only once during the test, and the message will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Messages sent out to radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers will include a similar message.

Additional information on this test may be found by visiting the FEMA website.