On October 4, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) conducted a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those that affect the entire country. The test consisted of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests began at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET and lasted for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, cell towers broadcasted the test, and WEA-compatible wireless phones that were switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participated in WEA, were capable of receiving the test message. The message that appeared on the phones read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed” .

The EAS message was disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN) . The EAS test message was sent to all TVs, radios, and cell phones. The alert sounded for one minute and was similar to the alert received in the case of an Amber Alert or warnings from the National Weather Service. The alert was not repeated.

The nationwide test was conducted to ensure that the emergency messaging system is running smoothly in the event Americans are threatened by natural disasters, terrorism, or other dangers to public safety. The WEA system is an essential part of Americas emergency preparedness, and since its launch in 2012, it has been used more than 84,000 times to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations – all through alerts on compatible cell phones and other mobile devices.