NYC Emergency Management Issues Notify NYC Message About Nationwide WEA System

Emergency Management


Press Release


For Immediate Release

#36-23

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES NOTIFY NYC MESSAGE TO INFORM NEW YORKERS OF NATIONWIDE WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM AND EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TESTS BY FEMA AND THE FCC

THE TESTS WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4

WEA MESSAGES WILL GO TO ALL WEA-CAPABLE MOBILE DEVICES WHILE EAS MESSAGES WILL BROADCAST TO ALL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS

October 3, 2023 –– The Federal Emergency Management Administration and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on October 4. WEA and EAS messages are emergency public warning tools used during natural or human-made disasters to target a localized area. The test messages are a collaboration between FEMA, the FCC, cellular service and broadcast providers.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all WEA-compatible consumer cell phones. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test, FEMA announced in a press release.

“Testing emergency alert systems is vital to ensure that when an emergency occurs, we can reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, and inform them of the potential dangers they may face and actions needed to stay safe,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS 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, FEMA said on their press release announcing the test in August.

“Most emergency alerting in NYC is covered by Notify NYC. However, the EAS and WEA systems are critical tools in the public warning toolbox when needed for life-safety incidents. Although the systems are not used often and are reserved only for the most high-impact emergencies, routine testing is paramount to ensure they work as expected when needed most to help keep people safe,” said NYC Emergency Management Director of Public Warning Rebecca Baudendistel. “ I encourage all New Yorkers to participate in this year’s feedback survey to help gather valuable information that will drive future system improvements.”

As part of its public messaging during emergencies, New York City Emergency Management issued a WEA message during the active subway shooter incident last April, which led to the arrest of the suspect Frank James. To inform New Yorkers during other non-emergency and emergency events, NYCEM issues messages through Notify NYC, the City’s official free emergency alert system. Please follow this link to complete the survey and provide feedback on this year’s test.

Notify NYC is available in 14 languages including American Sign Language. New Yorkers are encouraged to stay informed by signing up to receive free emergency alerts and updates on incidents impacting their neighborhood, in their preferred language and format, by visiting NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or downloading the free Notify NYC mobile application for their Apple or Android device.

For additional information on the nationwide test please visit FEMA.gov.

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