Emergency alert test: What is it? How to opt out and why is it controversial?

Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean
Updated ·3 min read
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That startling, blaring alert set to go off Wednesday afternoon? No need to panic, it's only a test.

At 1:20 p.m. CST, FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will be conducting a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

The test will help ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System are effective in alerting the public about emergencies, especially national ones.

The alert will sound for one minute and will sound similar to the alert received in the case of an Amber Alert or warnings from the National Weather Service. The alert will not be repeated.

Here's what to know about the test and how to prevent it from sounding off.

What time will the emergency alert happen?

The alert is scheduled for the same time across the country, 1:20 p.m. CST. Depending on time zone you are located in, the time will read differently.

  • 2:20 p.m. EDT

  • 1:20 p.m. CDT

  • 12:20 p.m. MDT

  • 11:20 a.m. PDT

  • 10:20 a.m. ADT

  • 8:20 a.m. HST

What will the alert say?

If your phone is set to English, the message will read, "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

If your phone is set to Spanish, the message will read, "ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción."

Why is the emergency test alert controversial?

No, the alert will not be able to collect your private data, it will not able to monitor or locate your cell phone nor will it emit particles into people's bodies, as rumors on social media have claimed.

The claims of the alarm releasing graphene oxide particles are similar to the since debunked theories of the contents of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Emergency alert controversy: No risk FEMA alert will activate body's chemicals | Fact check

How to opt out of the alarm

While the test is an important safety measure, for others like domestic violence victims, it can be dangerous. The loud and attention grabbing alert could jeopardize those in unsafe situations.

According to FEMA, all WEA-compatible mobile phones that are on, within range of an active cell tower and on network which supports WEA, will receive the alert.

To avoid the alert:

  • Turn off your cellphone.

  • Put your phone on airplane mode.

  • Use WiFi only.

Cellphones that are turned off for the entire 30-minute test period should not receive the alert message once it's turned back on, said FEMA.

How to disable future emergency alerts on iPhone

According to Apple, government alerts are turned on by default on Apple devices. Here's how to turn off the alerts.

  1. Go to Settings > Notifications.

  2. Scroll to the bottom of the screen.

  3. Under government alerts, turn the type of alert on or off.

How to disable future emergency alerts on Android

To turn off emergency alerts on Android phones,

  1. Open Settings

  2. Select notifications

  3. Select wireless emergency alerts

  4. Customize your settings

Although the alerts can be somewhat of a nuisance, it is recommended to keep the alerts turned on in the future, as they provide vital information about emergencies and national security.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Emergency alert test: What is it? How to disable. is it controversial?