The Wireless Emergency Alerts system is an essential part of America’s emergency preparedness. Since its launch in 2012, the WEA system has been used nearly 96,000 times to alert the public to hazardous weather, missing children and other critical situations – all through alerts on compatible cell phones and other mobile devices.
WEA is a public safety system that allows customers who own compatible mobile devices to receive geo-targeted, text-like messages alerting them to imminent security threats in their area.
WEA allows government officials to target emergency alerts to specific geographic areas—for example, lower Manhattan in New York.
The Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act established the WEA in 2008, and it became operational in 2012.
Wireless companies volunteer to participate in WEA, which is the result of a unique public/private partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the FCC and the US wireless industry to enhance public safety.
Frequently asked questions about WEA
How does WEA work?
Authorized national, state or local authorities send alerts about public safety emergencies – such as severe weather, missing children or the need to evacuate – using WEA.
Authorized public safety officials issue WEA alerts through FEMA’s Integrated public alarm and warning system (IPAWS) to participating wireless carriers, who then send the alerts to compatible mobile devices in the affected area.
Who receives the alerts?
The warnings are sent to the geographical area affected by an emergency. This means that if an alert is sent to a zone in New York, WEA-enabled mobile devices in that zone can receive the alert even if they are roaming or visiting from another state. In other words, a customer visiting from Chicago would be able to receive alerts in New York as long as the person has a WEA-enabled mobile device in the alert zone.
How much do consumers pay to receive WEA?
Alarms are free. Customers do not pay to receive WEA.
Do consumers have to sign up to receive alerts?
Consumers do not need to sign up for this service. WEA allows officials to send emergency alerts to all subscribers with WEA-compatible devices if their wireless carrier participates in the program.
What warnings does WEA provide?
WEA warnings only cover critical emergencies. Consumers can receive four types of alerts:
- “National Alerts” issued by the President of the United States or the Administrator of FEMA;
- “Imminent Threat” warnings involving imminent threats to safety or life;
- “AMBER Alerts” on missing children; and
- “Public Safety Messages” conveying recommendations to save life and property.
Participating carriers may allow subscribers to block all but National Alerts.
What do consumers experience when they receive a WEA?
A WEA warning is displayed on the receiver’s handset screen as a text-like message. The warning is accompanied by a unique alert signal and vibration, which is particularly useful for people with hearing or vision-related disabilities.
Are consumers able to receive WEAs on a prepaid phone?
Yes. Consumers with prepaid phones can receive WEAs as long as their carrier has decided to participate in WEA and the customer has a WEA-enabled device. These consumers receive the alerts just like customers with postpaid, monthly service do.
Does WEA track my location?
No. WEA is not designed to—and does not track—the location of anyone who receives a WEA alert.
Are WEAs text messages?
No. Many carriers have chosen to transmit WEAs using a technology that is separate and distinct from voice calls and text messages.
Do consumers need a new phone or smartphone to receive alerts?
Consumers should check with their wireless carrier about the availability of WEA-compatible handsets. In addition, CTIA, a wireless industry association, publishes lists of WEA compatible phones offered by the major wireless providers.
Is WEA available everywhere?
Participation in the WEA by wireless carriers is widespread but voluntary. Some providers may offer WEA over all or part of their service areas or over all or only some of their wireless devices. Other companies may not offer WEA at all. Even if you have a WEA-enabled device, you will not receive WEAs in a service area where the carrier does not offer WEA, or if your device is roaming on a carrier network that does not support the WEA service. Consumers should check with their wireless carriers to determine the extent to which they offer WEA.
Can consumers block WEAs?
Partially. Participating wireless carriers may offer subscribers with WEA-capable handsets the ability to block alerts involving imminent threats to life safety and/or AMBER alerts. Consumers cannot block National Alerts.
Why can’t consumers block National Alerts?
By passing the WARN Act, Congress allowed participating wireless carriers to offer subscribers the ability to block all WEAs except National Alerts.
How will subscribers know if their provider offers WEA?
The FCC requires all wireless carriers that do not participate in the WEA to notify customers. Consumers should check with their wireless carriers to determine the extent to which they offer WEA.
My friend just received a WEA over her cell phone, but I didn’t. We are in the same place. Why didn’t I receive a WEA?
To receive a WEA message, your handset must be WEA-capable, powered on, not in “airplane mode” and near and receiving service from a cell tower of a wireless carrier that participates in WEA.
Some participating carriers may offer WEA on some, but not all, of their mobile devices. Consumers should check with their wireless carriers to find out if their cell phone is WEA compliant.
How geographically precise is WEA?
WEA’s geographical precision is continuously improved. When the WEA program was launched, participating wireless carriers were generally required to send the alerts to a geographic area no larger than the county or counties affected by the emergency. Next, beginning in 2017, participating wireless carriers were required to send alerts to a geographic area that best approximated the area affected by the emergency, even if it was smaller than a county. Now, starting in December 2019, participating wireless carriers must geotarget alerts to technologically compatible phones even further: They must deliver the alerts to the area specified by the alert originator with no more than a 1/10th of a mile exceedance.
This “enhanced geotargeting” relies on new smartphone technology and will become increasingly available as consumers upgrade their devices. CTIA, an American wireless association, estimates that about 83 percent of consumer smartphones will support this enhancement by 2023, up from about 60 percent in 2022, 34 percent in 2021 and 18 percent in 2020. WEA-capable phones that do not support enhanced geo-targeting based on the geographic requirements will still receive alerts in 2017.
What is the FCC’s role in the WEA?
The WARN Act directed the FCC to adopt technical and operational requirements for WEA service. Wireless carriers participating in the WEA must comply with the FCC’s WEA rules.
Is the FCC issuing warnings?
No, the FCC does not issue warnings. Originators of WEA alerts include other federal agencies (such as the National Weather Service) and state and local governments. Alerts from authorized public safety officials are sent through FEMA’s IPAWS system to participating wireless carriers.
Who do I contact with questions about how WEA works on my wireless device?
For questions about how WEA works on specific devices, contact your wireless provider.
How do I know if my wireless phone or mobile device can receive WEA messages?
Customers with wireless services should check with their wireless service provider to determine if their cell phone or mobile device is WEA compliant. Not all wireless service providers offer WEA, and some participating wireless service providers may offer WEA on some, but not all, of their mobile devices and in some, but not all, of their service areas.
Accessibility and WEA
Information on the accessibility of wireless emergency alarms for people with disabilities
Printable version
Guide to Wireless Emergency Alarms (WEA). (pdf)
More information
