This is a test. This is only a test.

On Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission, will send out a signal to all televisions, radios and cellphones in the United States as a test of the emergency warning alert system.

The warning tones will take place at 2:20 p.m. in the Times News coverage area.

Nesquehoning Hose Company Fire Chief John McArdle, last week, told Nesquehoning Borough Council that this nationwide test is going to happen for the first time in several years.

The Nationwide Emergency Alert Test hopes to make sure that if a massive emergency happens that affects all or a large portion of the United States, Americans are warned quickly through the alert system.

According to FEMA, “The national test will help ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System continue to be effective ways to warn the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.

“All major U.S. wireless providers participate in Wireless Emergency Alerts and will transmit the national test to their subscribers.

“If your mobile phone is on and within range of an active cell tower from a participating wireless provider, you should receive the national test. Wireless providers will transmit the national test for 30 minutes, but your phone should only receive it once.”

The test is scheduled to last approximately one minute on a person’s device.

The last time the national emergency alert system was tested on a large scale was 2021.