The Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct a nationwide test of two emergency alert systems next week.
In coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, FEMA will test the Emergency Alert System and the Wireless Emergency Alert on Sept. 20. The tests are intended to assess operational readiness of the message delivery infrastructure and determine whether upgrades are necessary.
The Wireless Emergency Alert will take place at 8:18 a.m. and will be received by all active cellphones within range of a cell tower. The alert will be accompanied by a loud alert sound.
The Emergency Alert System test will take place immediately thereafter, at 8:20 a.m., and will be issued by radio and television broadcasts, cable systems and satellite radio and television providers.
This will be the first nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert test and the fourth nationwide Emergency Alert System test.
Should the test not occur Sept. 20, FEMA listed Oct. 3 as a secondary date.