The WEA system, which has been in operation since 2012, has been utilized over 84,000 times to notify the public of hazardous weather conditions, missing children, and other urgent circumstances. These alerts are transmitted through compatible cell phones and other mobile devices, making the system a crucial component of America’s emergency preparedness.
WEA is designed as a public safety system for customers who possess compatible mobile devices, enabling them to receive location-specific messages that resemble texts, notifying them about imminent safety concerns within their vicinity.
For instance, the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system allows government officials to specifically direct emergency alerts to certain geographic areas, such as lower Manhattan in New York.
The WEA became operational in 2012 after it was established by the WARN Act in 2008.
To boost public safety, wireless companies willingly participate in WEA, a result of an exceptional partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the FCC, and the United States wireless industry.
What kind of events trigger emergency alerts?
The following text outlines the types of WEA and EAS alerts that you may receive in real-life situations.
- Public safety alerts.
- AMBER alerts during child-abduction crises.
- Presidential alerts in case of national emergencies.
In addition, alerts are also dispatched for impending threats like:
- Extreme weather and natural disaster alerts from the National Weather Service, like flash floods, tornados, tsunamis, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, typhoons, storm surges, extreme wind, dust storms and snow squalls.
- Active shooters.
- Human-made disasters.
- Blue Alerts for when law enforcement officers are attacked.
- Other threatening emergencies.
Network congestion does not impact WEA messages.
How does WEA work?
WEA is used by authorized national, state, or local government authorities to send alerts about public safety emergencies such as severe weather, missing children, or the need for evacuation.
WEA alerts are sent by authorized public safety officials through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to participating wireless carriers, who then transmit the alerts to compatible mobile devices in the affected area.
Who receives the alerts?
Alerts are sent to the specific area impacted by an emergency, meaning that if an alert is transmitted to a particular zone in New York, mobile devices in that zone which are capable of receiving Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) can receive the alert, regardless of whether they are roaming or being used by someone visiting from another state. In simple terms, a person visiting from Chicago would be able to receive alerts in New York as long as their mobile device is enabled for WEA and they are within the alert zone.
How much do consumers pay to receive WEA?
Receiving WEA alerts is free for customers as they are not required to pay for them.
Do consumers have to sign up to receive alerts?
If their wireless carrier takes part in the program, all subscribers with WEA-capable devices can receive emergency alerts from government officials without signing up for this service.
What alerts does WEA deliver?
Only critical emergency situations are covered by WEA alerts. Consumers have the ability to receive four different types of alerts.
- “National Alerts” issued by the President of the United States or the Administrator of FEMA;
- “Imminent Threat” alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life;
- “AMBER Alerts” about missing children; and
- “Public Safety Messages” conveying recommendations for saving lives and property.
It is possible that participating carriers may enable subscribers to block all non-National Alerts.
What do consumers experience when they receive a WEA?
The recipient’s handset screen displays a WEA alert as a text message, accompanied by a distinctive attention signal and vibration, providing assistance to individuals with hearing or vision-related disabilities.
Are consumers able to receive WEAs on a prepaid phone?
Yes, prepaid phone users are eligible to receive WEAs if their service provider has chosen to participate in WEA and if the customer owns a WEA-enabled device. These consumers receive the alerts in the same manner as customers who have monthly postpaid service.
Does WEA track my location?
The WEA system is not intended to track the location of individuals who receive a WEA alert, and it does not track their location.
Are WEAs text messages?
Many providers have opted to use a technology that is distinct and dissimilar from voice calls and SMS text messages to transmit WEAs.
Do consumers need a new phone or a smart phone to receive alerts?
Consumers are advised to inquire with their wireless carrier about the availability of handsets that support WEA. Furthermore, the largest wireless providers offer lists of WEA-capable phones, which are published by CTIA, a wireless trade association.
Is WEA available everywhere?
Participation in WEA by wireless carriers is not obligatory and is commonly practiced. Certain carriers may choose to provide WEA across their entire service areas or just on specific wireless devices. However, there are carriers who do not offer WEA at all. It’s important to note that even if you have a WEA-enabled device, you will not receive WEAs in areas where the provider does not offer WEA or if your device is roaming on a provider network that does not support the WEA service. In order to ascertain the level of WEA provision, consumers are advised to consult their wireless carriers.
Can consumers block WEAs?
Subscribers with WEA-capable handsets offered by participating wireless carriers can choose to block alerts that relate to immediate threats to life safety or AMBER Alerts. However, it is important to note that blocking National Alerts is not possible for consumers.
Why can’t consumers block National Alerts?
The WARN Act permits wireless carriers to provide subscribers with the option to block all WEAs except for National Alerts.
How will subscribers know whether their carrier offers WEA?
Wireless carriers who choose not to be part of WEA must inform customers according to the FCC. To find out the level of WEA service provided, consumers should inquire with their specific wireless carriers.
My friend just received a WEA over her cell phone, but I did not. We are in the same location. Why didn’t I receive a WEA?
In order to receive a WEA message, your phone must meet the following criteria: it must be capable of WEA, switched on, not in “airplane mode,” and located near and receiving service from a cell tower operated by a wireless carrier participating in WEA.
Consumers should inquire with their wireless carriers to determine if their cell phone is WEA-capable as certain carriers may provide WEA exclusively on certain mobile devices rather than all.
