A FEMA test refers to a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) . 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 test messages are sent to all TVs, radios, and cell phones. The WEA portion of the test is initiated using FEMAs Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The EAS portion of the test is sent to radios and televisions. The test message is similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar, stating: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public” . The testing process is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the FEMA public alert and warning systems to distribute an emergency message nationwide and the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message to the public.