FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4; Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios and Cell Phones
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) tomorrow, Oct. 4. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20pm on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
The WEA portion of the test will be directed to consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all WEA-compatible 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.
The purpose of the 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.
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 in a geographic area where the 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.”
- Similar to when your phone receives an Amber Alert, the WEA alert tone is generally only played when the alert is initially received by the phone and on some devices stops as soon as the user clicks a button.
- If a phone is off before the test alert is sent and not turned back on until after the WEA Test expires (approximately 30 minutes), the phone should not get the test message.
Center on Representative Government to enhance civics education with $5.7M Defense Department grant
The Indiana University Center on Representative Government has received a three-year, $5.7 million cooperative agreement award from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance civics education and expand student interest in public service careers.
The center, which was founded by former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, will use the funding to develop “Democracy Quest,” a virtual-reality-based interactive learning tool. Democracy Quest is designed to engage high school students in the workings of representative government, help them better understand the nation’s political institutions, and strengthen their civic skills and literacy.
The center will receive the Department of Defense award through the department’s National Defense Education Program’s Civil Society program. The program authorizes federal support for the development of innovative curricula related to civics education, including critical thinking and media literacy; voting and advocacy; understanding of U.S. law, history and government; compromise and consensus-building; and interest in public service employment. The Center on Representative Government, which is part of the IU Office of the Vice President for University Relations, is a nonpartisan educational institution. It has developed an extensive array of free civics education resources, training sessions and other activities to improve the public’s understanding of a citizen’s role in representative government, strengthen civic engagement and teach the skills that are essential to sustaining the nation’s form of representative democracy
Bloomington students participate in workshop designed to foster an innovative mindset
In partnership with the City of Bloomington, The Mill, and Ivy Tech Bloomington, the STARTedUP Foundation will be performing an Innovation Workshop for three local high schools: Bloomington High School South, Edgewood High School, and the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship. This workshop is designed to empower students and foster community engagement as community members are given the opportunity to mentor students throughout the day and witness student creativity and innovation.
The STARTedUP Innovation Workshop is a unique opportunity for students to learn how to propose creative and effective solutions to real-world problems. This one-day event is designed to inspire young minds and equip them with the tools and mindset needed to make a positive impact on their communities. Workshop Highlights:Problem Solving: Participants will work together to address a real challenge presented by the City of Bloomington. This hands-on experience will encourage critical thinking and teamwork.
- Design Thinking Activities: Attendees will engage in interactive design thinking exercises, helping them approach problems with a fresh perspective and develop innovative solutions.
- Pitch Presentations: Students will have the opportunity to pitch their problem statements and solutions to local mentors, gaining valuable feedback and mentorship.
- Community Engagement: The workshop fosters collaboration between students, local businesses, community members, and innovators, creating a vibrant ecosystem for creative problem-solving.
When: October 4, 2023 | 9am – 12:30pm
Where: The Mill642 North Madison StreetBloomington, IN 47404 Interview Opportunities:Students participating in the workshopBusiness leaders and mentorsWorkshop organizersCity officials More event details can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startedups-innovation-workshop-at-the-mill-tickets-711099546887?aff=oddtdtcreator
This Week in Hoosier History
1860 – U.S. Senator and Former Governor James Whitcomb died while on a visit in New York. On this same date in 1860, Ashbel Willard became the first Indiana Governor to die in office.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson