Metro D.C. to Test Wireless Emergency Alerts Next Week

About 20 Washington-area communities will take part in a national wireless emergency alert system next week.

Between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Thursday, April 5, the communities will issue simultaneously a test message through the Wireless Emergency Alert system, which allows government and public safety officials to send emergency information to a specific area. The messages are received on an individual’s cell phone or other mobile device.

WEA allows the messaging to be more targeted and efficient than previous systems, which is critical during an emergency.

This will be the first live regional test using WEA’s capabilities and is expected to reach 5.2 million people.

WEA sends text-like messages on WEA-enabled mobile devices. The WEA system allows the messaging to be more targeted and efficient, which is critical during an emergency.

The April 5 alert will trigger a loud (somewhat annoying) noise and will cause cell phones and other devices to vibrate. Both the loud audio signal and vibration will be repeated twice, while displaying the text-like message on cell phones and mobile devices.

The WEA system is not the same as the “Alert Montgomery” or other emergency alert programs in jurisdictions within Montgomery County, or used in other metro-area jurisdictions.

The Federal Communications Commission launched WEA nationally in 2012. It has been used more than 33,000 times across the country to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children and other critical situations — all through alerts on WEA-enabled cell phones and other enabled wireless devices.

Most phones are WEA-enabled; an older “flip phone” might not be. The public does not sign up or register for WEA, and there is no fee for the service. Therefore, the test alert could come as a surprise to people who have not previously received a WEA message.

On April 5, individuals will receive a message customized to their area. Within Montgomery County the message will be: “A test of the Montgomery County Wireless Emergency Alerts System. No action required.”

If a real-world event coincides with the planned WEA test on Thursday, April 5, the back-up test date is Monday, April 9, between 10 and 11 a.m.

Periodic testing of public alerts and warning systems helps local governments assess the system and identify any needed improvements. The test ensures that public safety officials have reliable methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public during an emergency or disaster.

Jurisdictions participating in the exercise will create a map in their WEA system. Cell phones or mobile devices located outside, but near, the participating jurisdictions could receive the WEA test because this technology uses carrier towers.

Individuals who are traveling through several jurisdictions during the testing period will receive alerts from each jurisdiction they enter. Individuals visiting the Washington metropolitan-area during testing will also receive the alerts.

Montgomery County and Gaithersburg, Rockville and Takoma Park are participating in the WEA testing, as well as communities around the D.C. region.

About Staff Writer

View all posts by Staff Writer