Emergency Alert Test Wednesday In Santa Clara County

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Santa Clara County will take part in a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) programs on Wednesday morning, designed to verify the functionality of crisis communication systems.

The WEA tests, administered by FEMA, will be sent to every cell phone at 11:20 a.m., carrying a clearly labeled test notification that looks similar to an AMBER alert. The messages will be displayed in English or Spanish with one of the two following texts:

• “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
• “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

At the same time, an EAS test will be carried over radio and television systems, which will look similar to regularly scheduled monthly test broadcast messages.

County officials encourage community members to use the opportunity to make sure they have implemented other emergency preparedness steps, including signing up for local alerts through Alert SCC:

1. Sign Up for AlertSCC: Be informed by signing up for AlertSCC, the official emergency alert and warning system for the county. Visit www.alertscc.org to subscribe to local alerts.
2. Make a Plan: Develop an emergency plan tailored to the household's specific needs and circumstances. Consider evacuation routes, communication methods, and how to get in touch with one another if household members become separated.
3. Build an Emergency Supply Kit: Pack a Go Bag for when an evacuation is required and build a Stay Kit for when asked to shelter in place. Consider including essential items like food, water, prescription medications, important documents, family pictures and other items.
4. Help Others: Extend preparedness efforts by educating and assisting others in the community to make their own emergency plans and assemble essential kits.