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Wednesday FEMA alert is only a test By Mail Tribune Updated: Aug 10, 2021 02:17 PM A A FEMA and the FCC will conduct a test of the Emergency Alert System at 11:20 AM PT Wednesday, Aug. 11. The test will go to televisions and radios, while specially configured cell phones will receive an emergency alert test code message. FEMA photo. Televisions, radios and many mobile phones across the country will issue emergency alerts on Wednesday, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it’s only a test. At 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, cell towers across the country will broadcast a Wireless Emergency Alert system message at the same time that the Emergency Alert System broadcasts a similar emergency alert through television and radio broadcasts, according to FEMA. The test alert will last “for approximately 30 minutes.” The smartphone alert will only go to consumer cell phones that have opted-in for test messages. Those that have opted in will receive a message stating, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Unless the phone is configured with Spanish language. The test alert will test a feature capable of displaying emergency messages in either English or Spanish depending on the phone handset’s language settings. The emergency broadcast alert will also begin at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday on radio, television, and pay TV cable and satellite providers.