HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio — Cellphone users in Hamilton County should not be surprised by a test alert being sent to most mobile devices next week.
The Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency will be conducting a countywide test of its Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system at 9 a.m. on Sept. 4.
The message sent to WEA-capable phones will read:
"THIS IS A TEST of the Hamilton County Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action required."
The test, which looks like a text and includes a special tone, is an assessment of the alert system which should help county officials alert the public during an emergency situation.
More than 100 wireless carriers are participating in the program including all of the largest carriers.
Anyone who is not from Hamilton County but may be passing through the area will also receive the alert as well as some people who live in adjacent counties depending on the location of cell phone towers.
The alerts are free and do not require an app or subscription to any service.
The backup date for the countywide WEA test is Sept. 10.
