MEDIA ALERT
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ANNOUNCEMENT
 

Test of Scott County’s Wireless Emergency Alert System on December 30, 2023, at 01:00 PM.

What: The Scott County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will conduct a targeted, one-mile radius TEST of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system for cell phones in unincorporated Scott County, near 240th
Street and 230th Avenue, (approximately 1.25 miles south of Lost Grove Lake). This test will be conducted on December 30, 2023, at 01:00 PM.

The TEST is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems in place to deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public during an emergency or disaster. Periodic testing of public alert and warning
systems is also a way to assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure required to distribute local, state, and national messages, and determine whether technological improvements are needed. Only cell
phones that have opted in to receive WEA TEST messages AND are CONNECTED to a cellular tower within the one-mile radius of the testing area will receive this test.  Attached to this press release is an instructional guide for iPhone & Android users on how to turn these alerts on and emergency message options that individuals can elect to receive. One of these options includes receiving Testing Alerts. Scott County EMA HIGHLY encourages all individuals who live or work in Scott County to have these Emergency Message options selected to stay informed. 

Where can I find more information about WEA or Public Alerting?
More information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and Wireless Emergency Alerts is available at www.ready.gov/alerts.