A nationwide test of emergency and wireless alert systems is scheduled for Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. ET. During this test, a message will be broadcast to all cellphones, televisions, and radios in the United States.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced this exercise in August, and it will involve sending a message to all mobile phones with the text, "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." A Spanish version of the message will be displayed on devices based on their language settings.

Separate from the mobile phone alert, radios and televisions will receive a message that reads, "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."

This test is a collaborative effort between FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and its primary objective is to ensure the continued effectiveness of these alert systems in warning the public about emergencies, particularly those at the national level. Typically, these systems are employed to deliver notifications about severe weather conditions, safety threats, and Amber Alerts, as well as alerts from the U.S. president or FEMA.