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Shrieking Emergency Alerts Now Sent To Your Cell Phone

Posted at 5:51 PM, Feb 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-01 17:54:34-05

AMBER Alerts will now be automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program to millions of cell phone users.

If you have a WEA-enabled phone, you are automatically enrolled (Depending On Provider) for the three alerts: President, Imminent Threat and AMBER Alerts. The addition of AMBER Alerts to this notification system is a result of a partnership between CTIA and the wireless industry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), also known as CMAS, is a part of a national alerting system called IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) that enables emergency management officials to rapidly disseminate the warnings and safety information via text alerts to wireless phones based on the phones’ geographic location.

You Do have the option to turn off the alerts.