The Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) launched a public awareness campaign on October 1to prepare residents for an upcoming Emergency Alert System (EAS) test scheduled for Wednesday, November 5 at 4 p.m.

This alert is part of the national Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and will appear on cell phones, television, and radio. No action is required – this is only a test. The message will appear as: “This is a test of the Fort Bend County Emergency Alert System. This is only a test.”

The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, officials said.

“We are seeking your assistance in amplifying this message to ensure that residents understand the purpose of the test and remain confident in the emergency alerting systems,” the department said in an email to the Katy Times. “We will also be sharing educational information on the types of emergency alerts and a survey to gather information.”