If you out of the blue get a textual content warning of a Ballistic Missile Alert this afternoon, one thing has gone improper, however you in all probability don’t want to hunt shelter. Around 2:20PM EST, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are planning a nationwide check of the Emergency Alert System that could be a bit startling however is nothing to fret about.

The alerts in all probability gained’t occur on the similar time for each American, however in a press release, FEMA stated that they need to be wrapped up inside a half-hour. If every part goes appropriately, the first-of-its-variety check of the Wireless Emergency Alert ought to solely ship a single textual content to cellphone customers who’ve approved the company to alert them by way of textual content message opt-in. Those customers ought to get a textual content that reads:

THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No motion is required.

Users who’ve opted-in for alerts in Spanish will get a message that reads:

ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.

Your telephone ought to produce a “unique tone and vibration” designed to essentially get your consideration.

FEMA says that these assessments are essential to make sure the system is working within the occasion that it must notify residents about harmful climate, lacking youngsters, and different essential conditions.

A separate check of the Emergency Alert System shall be performed by “radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio, television providers and wireline video providers.” For that portion of as we speak’s festivities, FEMA says customers ought to count on the next:

The check message shall be just like the common month-to-month EAS check messages with which the general public is acquainted. It will state: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. No action is required.”

If you don’t obtain any alerts, congratulations. For everybody else, simply consider it as an alarm to remind you that the work day’s virtually over.