HAYS COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
The Hays County Office of Emergency Services will conduct a coordinated test of both the Emergency Alert System and the Wireless Emergency Alerts system on Monday, Aug. 4 at approximately 3:30 p.m. CST across the entire county.
This test is part of our 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 Emergency Alert System is a national public warning tool that allows federal, state and local authorities to interrupt radio, television and cable broadcasts with important emergency information. The Wireless Emergency Alerts 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. CST, 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 the County. The messages will clearly state that they are part of a test, and no action is required from the public.
“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, Hays County Office of Emergency Services director.
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 public should use this time to review their emergency plans.
Media outlets are encouraged to help inform the public in advance of the test to avoid confusion. We appreciate the community’s support and understanding as we work to enhance our emergency communication capabilities.
For more information about this test or alert system, please visit haysinformed. com/eas.
