Feds Plan Enormous Take Over Of Michigan Phones Today

Listen up Michigan, if you pay for your phone and your plan, you won't be in control of your phone coming up in October. Uncle Sam is taking over the airwaves, t.v., and mobile devices for a National E.A.S. Test on October 4th.

Michigan residents can expect this on October 4th according to FEMA:

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

 

Wireless Emergency Alert

All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

• Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.
• For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

Emergency Alert System

When you hear the test on the radio or t.v., don't freak out, it's only a test. Here's what you can expect on October 4th.

• The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
• The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “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.

Now you're in the know and the U.S. Government is only doing a test to keep citizens safe. If there are weather bulletins or legitimate emergencies that would be utilized by E.A.S., the rescheduled test date is October 11th.