The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM) is partnering with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test the performance of the Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA) in Kitsap County on Monday, September 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Any person with a mobile device within the geo-targeted area, which is a 0.4-mile radius around the area of 8900 Imperial Way, near the Bremerton National Airport, will receive an alert during the test. The message will clearly state that it is only a test, and include hyperlink to a survey allowing people to provide feedback to the FCC. Some outside of the target area may also receive the test. Anyone receiving the test message beyond the target area is also encouraged to fill out the survey from their device.
Wireless Emergency Alerts are a critical public safety tool to ensure people are informed, aware, and empowered to make the appropriate decisions based on the risk at hand. Authorized federal, state, and local government entities can send geographically targeted alerts and warnings to compatible mobile devices using the networks of participating wireless providers.
KCDEM requested the opportunity to participate in this exercise and was selected as one of only 42 localities across the United States. This inaugural federally coordinated WEA exercise will measure enhanced geo-targeting capabilities.
More information from the FCC can be found at Wireless Emergency Alerts.