Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios and Cell Phones

WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11. 

The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones. 

This year the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

• Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message. 
• For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration. 

Important information about the EAS test:

• The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
• The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.

Story courtesy of FEMA.gov

The Knox County Sheriff’s Department is mourning the loss of one of their own.

29 year-old Deputy Tucker Blakely died at the UT Medical Center last night after being shot in the line of duty responding to a domestic call on Denver Lane in West Knoxville Sunday night.

Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler says Officer Blakely is a hero who lived as a hero and died as a hero. He leaves behind a wife and a 5-year-old son. Blakely was moving on in his career, he was set to become a K-9 officer in a matter of days. Sheriff Spangler asking everyone to please “Keep Tucker’s family in your thoughts,”.

He was also an Army veteran and a graduate of Powell High School.

Other agencies and Knox County-area leaders offering support to KCSO and Deputy Blakely, with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacob releasing a statement on Twitter, along with Knoxville Police Department Chief Paul Noel and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is the agency in charge of this case and this is their statement:

The deceased individual at the scene has been identified as Matthew Logan Rose (DOB: 10/17/92).

At the request of 6^th Judicial District Attorney General Charme Allen, TBI special agents are investigating the circumstances leading to a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred Sunday night involving deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Knox County dispatch received a call regarding a domestic situation at a home in the 3200 block of Denver Lane in Knoxville.  Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded and encountered an armed individual at the residence.  For reasons still under investigation, the situation escalated and shots were fired by both the individual and at least one of the deputies.  The male subject was struck and pronounced deceased at the scene.  One of the officers was also struck by gunfire and was transported to an area hospital with very serious injuries.

TBI agents continue to work to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews.  Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for her review and consideration.  The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters; that decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI’s involvement.

The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to the respective department to answer as it sees fit.

The Dollywood Express train derails while carrying passengers in the park.

It happened last (Sunday) night and all passengers were evacuated with no injuries were reported.

Officials say the train, a 110-ton coal-fired steam engine, experienced a mechanical issue.

The Dollywood Express takes guests on a five-mile trip around the park and through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.