What Is IPAWS? America’s Emergency Alert System To Be Tested Next Week
The FCC and FEMA are set to conduct a routine test of the Emergency Alert System.
Next week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to alert millions of Americans. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) will broadcast emergency alerts to any wireless device in the country, including phones, radios and televisions, except cellphones.
The test is scheduled for November 17 at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time and will last approximately one minute. IPAWS allows the president and various government bodies to send alerts, including Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), Emergency Alert System (EAS) alerts, and Weather Radio alerts. WEAs are sent to mobile phones in affected areas, while EAS alerts are delivered through radio and television bulletins.
The test will include alert tones to assist individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and broadcasters may provide audio in English, Spanish, or both.
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