Emergency-Warning System To Be Tested In Napa County

NAPA COUNTY, CA – The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System will be tested in Napa County on Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m., and area residents should expect to receive notifications.

IPAWS is managed by the federal government, and Napa County has received the necessary training and certification to send life-saving information and messages to cell phones in the immediate area in life-threatening emergencies, officials said.

On Oct. 9, Napa County will test wireless emergency alerts, and those with cell phones in the Napa County area around 9:30 a.m. should expect to receive a test message via mobile text that will read "TEST message Napa County. www.countyofnapa.org/IPAWS for feedback. No other action needed.”

The test will coincide with a Board of Supervisors meeting to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the
2017 wildfires and to receive a series of presentations on recovery efforts and steps that have been taken
to improve readiness for future disasters. During this meeting, the WEA message will be sent, allowing
supervisors to evaluate the use of the system in live time, officials said.

Some cells allow emergency alerts to be turned off in phones’ settings, so residents are advised to check their settings. Those whose settings have enabled emergency text messages, but do not receive the texts can call (707) 253-1501.

The test message will also be sent out via Nixle, and subscribers may receive the notice twice, officials said.

Nixle subscribers that receive messages in Spanish may receive the message twice, once in Spanish and once in English. A bilingual call center will be open on Oct. 9 and can be reached at (707) 299-1501.

If the test needs to be delayed for any reason, the alternate date will be Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m., county officials said.

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