City of Dallas, TX

10/03/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/03/2023 03:55

FEMA to test Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 3, 2023

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
[email protected]

FEMA to test Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)

DALLAS- FEMA will be testing the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) nationally on Oct. 4 at 1:20 p.m. In preparation, the Office of Emergency Management is sharing the following key facts.

  • The test will be conducted using the Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS), so virtually every phone across the country will receive an alert.
  • The test will take place at approximately 1:20 p.m. CST on Oct. 4, with a backup date of Oct. 11.
  • The WEA message will display: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." Phones set to Spanish will display: "ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción."
  • The EAS message will announce on television and radio: "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."
  • There is NO way to opt-out of this test, so even those individuals with their alert settings set to "off" will receive this message if their phone is on and receiving service.

More information on the National Test can be found here.

The test will be held on the same day that most North Texas cities test their Outdoor Warning Systems (OWS). Dallas OEM intends to conduct regular City of Dallas OWStest at noon as scheduled, weather permitting.