Feds tests the first national text alert – Local News

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SALEM – The first nationwide SMS alert is Thursday.

The Oregon Emergency Management Office has reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission are coordinating the testing of the Integrated Warning and Response System. 39 public alert.

The test will be released by radio, television, cable channels and wireless operators. The public alert system includes the emergency alert system and the wireless emergency alert system.

The wireless part of the test will take place on Thursday at 11:18 and the emergency alert part at 11:20.

The text messages will say: "THIS IS A TEST of the national wireless emergency alert system", according to the state of emergency management, and "No action is necessary".

The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System "is a national, local alert system that provides authenticated emergency alerts and information from emergency officials to the public via radio, television, cell phones and mobile phones. Internet applications ". This is the fourth test of the emergency alert system, but the first national test of the wireless emergency alert system.

Andrew Phelps, director of Oregon Emergency Management, said in a written statement that the agency did not want anyone caught off guard.

"No matter where someone is – at work, in his car, at school, at the doctor, everywhere – they should hear and see the alert on their phone," Phelps said. .

The nationwide test ensures that, during an emergency or disaster, public safety officials have methods and systems that will broadcast urgent alerts and warnings to the public. Federal agencies would only use a wireless message nationally in the most extreme emergency situations.

Thursday's event also tests the operational readiness of a national message and reveals whether technological improvements are needed.

Oregon Emergency Management has rated the test as very important for improving the ability to provide critical information to the public. For more information, visit: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-test.