Emergency alert system test sounds electronic devices nationwide

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- An emergency alert was sent to phones around the nation Wednesday, Oct. 4. Thankfully, it was just a test.

"Something's going on, but then I realized it was just my phone," said Jeff Derus, a man who heard the emergency alert system test.

Derus was inside the Milwaukee Public Market during the lunchtime rush when the alert sounded, interrupting people's meals; some people dazed and confused by the piercing sirens coming from their phones.

"I realized after a while that it was just a test," said Paul Jobling, someone who heard the emergency alert system test.

The noisy alert all a part of the Nation's Federal Alert System Test

The test commenced at exactly 1:18 in Milwaukee, sending a blaring noise through the market.

"I just noticed it was a warning, I didn’t look beyond that, I thought it was a test," said Tom Boeckmann, who heard the emergency alert test system.

The federal test not only happening on cellphones, but across all electronic devices, like radios and TVs.

The test is required under federal law, testing the capabilities of the National Alert System, seeing how effective the system is to reach and inform as many people as possible in case of a widespread emergency.

"I thought it was really cool, makes me feel safe. If something happens, if end of the world happens, we get the alert right," said Ling Tang.

The test is conducted once every three years.

This is the seventh time the test has taken place nationwide.