FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the national emergency alert system. The test is planned for Wednesday, October 4 starting at approximately 1:20 p.m. (Central Time).
- The actual test is expected to last approximately one minute.
- Messages and alerts will be directed to radios, televisions and cell phones. All commercial cell service providers automatically push this message to customer cell phones.
- This national test is mandated to occur every three years.
- No action is needed -- this is only a test to ensure that nationwide emergency messaging systems are operating properly.
- Learn more by visiting the FEMA website as well as the IPAWS National Test 2023 web article
- If severe weather or another emergency hits on October 4, the test will be rescheduled to October 11.
- This nation-wide test is in addition to the monthly testing of the Village's emergency messaging system, which generally happens on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. During this local test, the Village activates our outdoor severe weather sirens, including the voice message indicating that the alert is only a test. In addition, individuals who are signed up for the Village's Blackboard Connect reverse 911 messaging system also receive a test message. Unlike the national emergency messages, the Village's reverse 911 message system requires that individuals sign up to receive messages. Messages can be managed to be delivered via voice or text to cell phones and emails. There is no cost to users. Residents and those who work in the Village are strongly encouraged to sign up for Blackboard Connect messages through the Village's website.