ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – A nationwide emergency alert test will happen tomorrow afternoon.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct two tests to determine how effective its alert systems are. The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) test will go to all consumer cell phones in the country. Officials say people should receive the message only once and it will read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) test will go out over radios and TV’s. It will read, “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is only a test. No action is required.”

“It is hoped that by getting the word out in advance, it will help to minimize any confusion when the nationwide test is conducted,” said Tompkins County Community Preparedness Coordinator for Tompkins County Emergency Response Geoff Dunn, “Again, no action is required by the public.”

Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4.