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.
- 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 national test is mandated to occur every three years.
- This 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 test, the Village activates our outdoor severe weather sirens, including the voice message indicating that the alert is only a test. At that time, individuals who are signed up for the Village's Blackboard Connect reverse 911 messaging system also receive a test message.