December 26, 2024

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ANNOUNCEMENT

Annual Test of Scott County’s Wireless Emergency Alert System

What: The Scott County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will conduct a countywide TEST of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system for cell phones on January 04, 2025, at 01:00 PM.  

The TEST is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems in place to deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public during an emergency or disaster.  Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems is also a way to assess the readiness of the infrastructure required to distribute local, state, and national messages, and determine whether technological improvements are needed.  Only cell phones that have opted in to receive WEA TEST messages will receive this test. 

Attached to the press release is an instructional guide for iPhone & Android users on how to turn these alerts on and emergency message options that individuals can elect to receive.  One of these options includes receiving Testing Alerts.  Scott County EMA HIGHLY encourages all individuals who live or work in Scott County to have these Emergency Message options selected to stay informed. 

Where can I find more information about WEA or Public Alerting?

Local information can be found at the Scott County Emergency Management Agency’s website by visiting www.scottcountyiowa.gov/ema/wea.

More information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and Wireless Emergency Alerts is available at www.ready.gov/alerts.