A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts will be conducted tomorrow at 11:20 a.m. The test, conducted by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will alert and interrupt all cell phones, radios and televisions.
The purpose of the test is to ensure the national emergency messaging system is functioning properly in the event of a natural disaster, terrorism or additional dangers to public safety. The alert portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute.
According to a press release by FEMA on Aug. 3, the message on cell phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
USC administration sent out a notice to students, faculty and staff earlier today.
“This is a national level test and is separate from the USC TrojansAlert system, which is activated during an active emergency on one of our campuses,” the email notice read.
The Integrated Public Alert & Warning System is required by law to be tested by FEMA at least once every three years. The last national test was in 2021.
A backup test is scheduled for Oct. 11 in the event that an actual emergency or severe weather proposes a delay to the Oct. 4 test.