In early October, federal agencies will transmit messages to mobile phones, televisions, and radios across the United States to test emergency alert systems.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of two alert systems, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), starting at 2:20 PM Eastern Time on October 4th.

The two-stage testing aims to "ensure that these systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those of national significance," according to FEMA's press release.

As part of the EAS test, FEMA will send a test message to television and radio stations, lasting approximately one minute, containing the following message: "This is a national test of the Emergency Alert System, conducted by FEMA covering the entire United States from 2:20 pm to 2:50 pm Eastern Daylight Time. This is only a test. No action is needed."

The agency stated that this will be the seventh nationwide EAS test and "will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar."

Regarding WEA, phones within the coverage area of cell towers will receive the following message: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

The message will be transmitted in English or Spanish, depending on the phone's language settings, and to "ensure the accessibility of these notifications to the entire population, including people with disabilities, alerts are accompanied by a unique sound and vibration."

According to FEMA representatives, cell towers will broadcast the test for 30 minutes, but all wireless phones should only receive the message once.

In the event that the test is postponed due to an emergency during the testing period, FEMA has stated that it will reschedule it for October 11th.