Oct. 2, 2018
Dear Campus Community:
On Wednesday, Oct. 3 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will test the Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System via cell phones.
In California at approximately 11:18 a.m., a loud squelch will sound and smartphones will buzz. The message should have a header that reads, “Presidential Alert” and text that says: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Cell phone towers will broadcast the test for about 30 minutes, so any smartphone switched on and within range should receive the alert.
FEMA, the FCC and local authorities use the warning system as a way to keep people informed in an emergency. Individual agencies, including Ventura County, have issued alerts in the past but this will show how the system works on a national scale.