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Nearly every smartphone user in America on Wednesday will receive a test of FEMA's first-ever "presidential alert." TODAY's Carson Daly is in the Orange Room reviewing what to expect and sharing some of the criticism online.
With the push of a button — and at the direction of President Donald Trump — an alert will be sent to the cellphones of nearly every American at 2:18 p.m. ET on Wednesday: "THIS IS A TEST."
The message is scheduled to be the first trial of the "Presidential Alert" system, a new way to notify Americans across the country of national emergencies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency oversees the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, which has sent out 40,000 messages to cellphones since its launch in 2012, warning people of everything from local severe weather to Amber Alerts.
The "Presidential Alert" is a new type of WEA notification meant to be used only for national emergencies. Unlike other alerts, people with cellphones cannot opt out of the messages, theoretically giving the president a direct line to the mobile devices of around 95 percent of Americans.
The wireless alert test at 2:18 p.m. ET will be followed by a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at 2:20 p.m. ET on television and radio.
The only way for U.S. cellphone users to not get the "Presidential Alert" is to have their phone switched off, not be within range of an active cell tower, or be with a wireless provider not participating in the WEA.
With the push of a button — and at the direction of President Donald Trump — an alert will be sent to the cellphones of nearly every American at 2:18 p.m. ET on Wednesday: "THIS IS A TEST."
The message is scheduled to be the first trial of the "Presidential Alert" system, a new way to notify Americans across the country of national emergencies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency oversees the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, which has sent out 40,000 messages to cellphones since its launch in 2012, warning people of everything from local severe weather to Amber Alerts.
The "Presidential Alert" is a new type of WEA notification meant to be used only for national emergencies. Unlike other alerts, people with cellphones cannot opt out of the messages, theoretically giving the president a direct line to the mobile devices of around 95 percent of Americans.
The wireless alert test at 2:18 p.m. ET will be followed by a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at 2:20 p.m. ET on television and radio.
The only way for U.S. cellphone users to not get the "Presidential Alert" is to have their phone switched off, not be within range of an active cell tower, or be with a wireless provider not participating in the WEA.
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