ALL CELLPHONES, TVS AND RADIOS IN THE COUNTRY WILL RECEIVE A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM AND WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS AT 2:20 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4. | PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

We’ve all had our television and radio programs interrupted at some point in time with the high-pitched beeping and a voice assuring that, “This is only a test!”

At 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, be prepared to hear a similar test that will be broadcast on all TVs, radios and cellphones in the nation in an effort to test the effectiveness of the country’s Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct the tests. In the event of widespread inclement weather or other issue, the tests will be broadcast at the same time on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

For the wireless test, cell towers will broadcast the alert to Wireless Emergency Alert-compatible cellphones that are switched on and within range of an active tower.

The message will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed,” or “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción,” in Spanish.

According to a FEMA press release, “FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with Emergency Alert System participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.”

The Emergency Alert System test will last about 1 minute on participating television and radio stations via cable, satellite and wireline video providers.

While similar tests have been conducted across the country for decades, this marks the seventh national EAS test and the second national WEA test.

The Emergency Alert System was developed in 1997 for the President to address the American people in the event of a national emergency. It replaced the Emergency Broadcast System that conducted tests via television and radio, beginning in 1963. 

The systems are also used to alert residents of severe weather threats and AMBER alerts for endangered missing or abducted children.

“Federal agencies want to make sure the technology is functioning correctly, and they also want people to know such an alert exists before it needs to be used,” Jeff Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, told The New York Times.

“Speaking generally, alerts are only effective if people know what they are and they know what to do with them,” he added.