Nationwide Wireless Alert Test Today 
Below is the information put out from Contra Costa County in regards to today's test of the Wireless Emergency Alert System.
Wednesday, October 3rd, FEMA will be conducting a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) System. The test will be run at 11:18am in conjunction with a nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test scheduled to start at 11:20am. This will be the first nationwide test of WEA.
WEA is a system that broadcasts short, text-like messages from cell phone towers to compatible cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA. Both the Wireless Emergency Alert System and the Emergency Alert System were created to send presidential emergency messages to the public during times of natural or manmade disasters. The Contra Costa County Community Warning System also has the ability to activate this tool, in addition to a variety of other tools, for certain local emergencies.
During the test, the WEA message will be broadcast from cell towers for approximately 30 minutes. While the message will be broadcast for 30 minutes, cell phones should only receive the alert once. The text of the test next week will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed”. It is likely that most smart phones throughout the county will receive the test alert. A distinctive WEA message dialog box will appear on the mobile device’s screen and the test will use the same special, loud tone and vibration that all WEA messages use.
Once the test is complete, please consider filling out the following survey so we can better understand how the WEA system works in Contra Costa County: https://goo.gl/forms/qZUsggURWpIGJjVJ2
To view this message in American Sign Language or hear an audio version of this message, click the link below.
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/170684#embed-code
Thank you,
Heather Tiernan
Community Warning System Manager
Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
50 Glacier Drive
Martinez, CA 94553
Address/Location
Danville Police Department CA
500 La Gonda Way
Danville, CA 94526
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 925-314-3700