The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be testing emergency alert systems that can send messages to phones, televisions and radios nationwide.

The tests will be conducted on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, beginning at 2:18 p.m. ET.

Cell phone users will receive a message with 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.

The test will last about one minute. Users cannot opt out of receiving the emergency alerts.

For more information about the test, please visit FEMA’s website.

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About Dan Finkle

Dan Finkle began his career in public safety when he joined the Newton Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 2002. He has since served the Town of Newton as a Public Safety Telecommunicator, Police Officer, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, and Emergency Management Coordinator.