Tens of Millions May Not Receive Emergency Alerts During National Test, FEMA Says

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials expect the same kinds of problems to be uncovered during the first national test of the wireless emergency alert system as during a Washington-area test in April, they told reporters Friday. Preliminary results likely won’t be released immediately, an FCC official said. The test was delayed until Oct. 3 because of Hurricane Florence (see 1809170035). The April test saw many subscribers not getting the alerts (see 1804050053). Industry observers expect similar glitches Oct. 3. “The test will assess the operation readiness of the infrastructure,” a FEMA official said: “We expect there to be fairly similar results” to the April test. Government officials spoke on a conference call with reporters on the condition they not be identified. “Almost all [wireless] phones across the country” will receive the warnings, “but we know there are some anomalies in the network,” a FEMA official said. More than 70 percent of the cellphones will likely “receive and display” the message, the official said. The FCC will work closely with FEMA and industry to assess the test, a commission official said. FEMA officials noted 2016's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act requires the system be tested every three years. WEAs can warn of severe weather, active shooters and Amber alerts. WEAs fall into three categories -- warnings of imminent threats from severe weather to active shooters, amber alerts for missing children and the presidential-level alert, a FEMA official said. The national presidential-level alerts are only issued during extreme emergencies, such as a declaration of war or if there were coordinated terrorist attacks in major cities, the FEMA official said. Those concerned about the test continue tweeting, now using a new hashtag: #GoDark103. “What are you solving by participating in #GoDark920 or #GoDark103?” @realchrishanken tweeted Friday. “You don’t like Trump. I get it. I don’t like him either. But these presidential alerts have been around for longer.”