No issues were reported locally with Wednesday’s tests of the national alert systems.
In addition to testing the standard EAS alert for radio and TV broadcasts, the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency tested out the cell phone alert system called WEA, or wireless emergency alert. Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell tells KVOE News this was a significant test for several reasons.
There are several levels of warnings for cell phones, including the Presidential Alert that went out Wednesday, local alerts and AMBER Alerts for missing children in danger. Lyon County has the capability to send the WEA alerts.
Several cell phone users may not have received the WEA alert. FEMA says only compatible cell phones that were switched on, within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless provider participates in the WEA program got the Presidential Alert. Users on calls or with an active data session on their phones may also not have received the alert.
IPAWS stands for Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. The IPAWS test was originally set for September but had to be delayed due to Hurricane Florence.
