In case you hadn’t heard, FEMA will be sending out a test to the majority of cell phones today. The alert system, called the “presidential alert” will warn people about national emergencies like dangerous weather or terrorist events.
More things to know: the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system is used to send public safety info through mobile carriers. It's overseen by @FEMA & @FCC. This is different from a text message, and your phone number is not shared with anyone. https://t.co/pOSHEhIA7d
— FEMA (@fema) September 16, 2018
There are 3 types of WEA messages (established by WARN Act in 2006):
1. Extreme weather and other threatening emergencies
2. AMBER Alerts
3. Presidential Alerts
Presidential Alerts are the only type that can be used nationwide, and are meant for a national emergency.— FEMA (@fema) September 16, 2018
This shouldn’t be a big deal, but of course, since people think it’s coming directly from President Trump, they are having a meltdown.
Alyssa Milano, chimed in saying that “I know trump isn’t big on consent but I don’t consent to this.”
I don’t want this. How do we opt out, @fema? I know trump isn’t big on consent but I don’t consent to this. https://t.co/A04twRU39p
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 15, 2018
Other people seem to think President Trump will use this as a way to lie to the American people through texting.
We already have EAS in place for emergency messaging & we have Amber Alerts. There’s no need for Presidential texts. He’s already proven through his horrendous,lying tweets that he can’t be trusted to text actual facts. He abuses every outlet available to him for his own purposes
— JoAnn (@JoAnnNYNY) September 18, 2018
1. Take the most unpopular president
2. Give him access to our phones
3. Expect us to be … okay with it?@FEMA, have you lost your mind? pic.twitter.com/hCcb2njQXi— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) September 15, 2018
Example tweet: "Citizens, this is the president @POTUS Do not be alarmed. There was no collusion. Puerto Rico loves me. HRC bad. I have big brain. Benghazi! Nazis are people too. Kids in cages make nice zoos, like summer camp. I've never golfed in my life. Hillary! Obama!"
— Dan Gray (@DanGrayauthor) September 15, 2018
Never mind that President Obama is the one who started the wireless alert system and used it twice during his presidency. Never mind that there are LAWS and SAFEGUARDS in place that prevent a president from using the emergency alert text system like a Twitter feed.
Use of System.--Except to the extent necessary for testing the public alert and warning system, the public alert and warning system shall not be used to transmit a message that does not relate to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster or threat to public safety.
This test was actually supposed to happen in September but people got so triggered by this that is was pushed back to today.
Seriously, people. Get a grip.