_____________ Wireless EmergencyAlerts Can SaveYour Life (NAPSA)—Your phone could save a life—perhaps even your own. That’s because when you receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), you'll know about danger- 42:15 ous, even imminent life-threatening situations, such as tornadoes, Britisastance x oO” bers, the Federal Communications ; Uae eeeiachMe until 4 PM EST. Check local media. flash floods and hurricanes. That’s because CTIA and its carrier mem- Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), developed WEAs to send concise, text-like messages to mobile devices so Americans are alerted to dangerous situations and know what to do to keep themselves and otherssafe. How Alerts Work Before an alert is sent, FEMA authorizes federal, state, local and tribal public safety agencies. FEMAthen transmits the message to participating wireless providers. This process disseminates the information to WEA-capable phones in the specified geographic zone. The alert tells users from whom the information comes, what’s happening, who’s affected and what action to take. It is rebroadcast until the emergency is over. WEAs, while they seem like text messages, are not texts; WEAs are sent only to those in the targeted area. In addition, these messages don’t disrupt any text, calls or data sessions in progress and mobile users are not charged for receiving alerts. WEAs have a unique sound and vibration so you won’t miss or mistakeit for a text or phonecall. WEAIn Action Shortly after midnight, Johns Island, SC, residents received a WEAontheir mobile devices about an impending tornado in Septem- ber 2015. Within minutes, the 1380- mph wind splintered trees and damaged 80 houses along a seven- EmergencyAlert Be prepared with wireless emergencyalerts on your phone. mile path. While many lost their homes andpossessions, their families were safe. One resident grabbed his infant daughter after receiving the WEA andsafely took shelter before the roof over his daughter’s room ripped away. The father said the alert on his phone “was a savior.” How ToTell If You Can Get Alerts If your device has the Wireless Emergency Alerts logo, it’s WEA capable. To confirm this, check with your wireless provider. Participating carriers include: AT&T * Bluegrass Cellular * Cellcom * Cricket Wireless Sprint Wireless * T-Mobile USA U.S. Cellular * Verizon Learn More You can find further informa- tion on Wireless Emergency Alerts from the experts at CTIA at http://ctia.it/1d64xZy.
