Staff Report
SAN MARCOS - The Hays County Office of Emergency Services will conduct a coordinated test of both the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system at approximately 3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, across the county.
The EAS is a national public warning tool that allows federal, state and local authorities to interrupt radio, television and cable broadcasts with important emergency information, according to a Hays County news release. The WEA system allows authorized agencies to send short emergency messages directly to cell phones in targeted geographic areas. These alerts appear on devices similar to a text message, accompanied by a distinct tone and vibration.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4, a test message will be broadcast via radio, television and cable outlets through the EAS. Simultaneously, a WEA test message will be sent to compatible mobile phones in Hays County. The messages will clearly state that they are part of a test and no action is required from the public.
This test is part of the county’s ongoing commitment to ensure that public warning systems are fully operational and capable of quickly delivering critical information to the public in the event of an emergency, the release stated.
“Emergency alerts save lives. By testing both WEA and EAS together, we ensure that our alerting systems are reliable, effective and ready for use when the public needs them most,” said Mike Jones, director of Hays County Office of Emergency Services.
These tests are essential for verifying that both systems function properly across different platforms and networks and that the public is aware of what an official alert will look and sound like, the release continued. The public should use this time to review their emergency plans.
For more information about this test or alert system, visit www.haysinformed.com/eas.
