FEMA to Send ‘Presidential Alert’ Wednesday 10/3
OutdoorHub Reporters 10.02.18
On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will test a Nationwide alert system and deliver a ‘Presidential Alert’ directly from President Trump. This new system will be called the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and will deliver messages directly to the cell phones of U.S. citizens. This test, which was originally scheduled for September 20th was moved due to Hurricane Florence. This test is unique because it will be the first of it’s kind and will establish a system for President Trump and all future presidents to deliver emergency messages directly to citizens without the need of local governments or the media.
This system is poised to operate similarly to an Amber Alert, but on a National scale. Future alerts will be for any number of situations including man-made and natural disasters, terrorism, or any other threats to public safety. The WEA system marks the first time in U.S. history that a President has been given the ability to tap into the wireless network to deliver a message directly to the people.
Pending another reschedule, the alert is set to go live at 2:18 EST and will broadcast for 30 minutes. The message will begin by activating the vibration feature of your phone and continue by delivering a message with the following details:
Header – “Presidential Alert”
Message – “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Unlike Amber Alerts, you will not be able to opt-out. All compatible cell phones within range of a cell tower will receive this alert.
Many who don’t agree with Trump politically have taken to the internet to express their concern. Some have even gone as far to say that they don’t want Trump to have their phone number. To those people, Trump is not sending you a private message. The reality here, is that this new WEA system is a natural next step for communication in disaster situations. While many people are able to watch the news for late breaking information, many do not have that luxury. Tapping in to cell phones is truly the best option currently available to reach the most amount of people in the least amount of time.
So, tomorrow at 2:18, don’t be caught off guard when 45 drops a text message on your phone.
