On Wednesday, October 3, at 11:18 a.m., the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is conducting a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).  The test begins with a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) at 11:18 a.m. and continues with an activation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at 11:20 a.m.

WEA is a cell phone alert that you receive on your phone like an amber alert.  The WEA takes up to 30 minutes to broadcast from every cell tower in the nation, so you should expect to receive a cell phone alert during that time.  The alert message on your phone will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

EAS is the standard radio and television alert that you are most likely familiar with.  The alert tone is followed by a typical broadcast: “This is a test of the emergency alert system.”

No action is necessary when you receive this alert.  Please do not call 911.

For more information about the IPAWS National Test, please visit www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-test. Residents are invited to contact the Lake Havasu Fire Department at lhcfire@lhcaz.gov or 928-855-1141 for any questions or concerns you may have.