WTF AT&T

[genxlib]

Last edited Thu Apr 20, 2023, 08:35 AM - Edit history (1)

Somebody decided to run a test on the Emergency Broadcast System and my cell phone started blaring a fog horn alarm at top volume at 4:45am !!!!

What the ever living hell!!??!!

Mind you, those of you who remember me may recall that I do rescue work with FEMA USAR. So I am on call for disasters. When an alarm goes off in the middle of the night, it generally means that something has gone terribly wrong. My adrenaline kicks in wondering whether there has been an earthquake or tornado somewhere. My system gets so flooded with energy, I had no shot of going back to sleep.

So thanks a bunch AT&T and whoever decided to pull the cord on that particular alarm.




On edit, it looks like it was state wide across multiple carriers. https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2023/04/20/florida-emergency-alert-test-today-why-did-you-get-an-alert-how-to-view-it-should-you-turn-it-off/70133335007/

So I blame DeSantis now. Why the hell not.

[Walleye]

1. Well that's pretty shitty, my friend in Fort Lauderdale just texted to say her phone blew up 4:54 AM

[jimfields33]

3. Yep mine did to and I have Verizon so it must have been all carriers.

I live in central Florida.

[Walleye]

7. She said her husband is deaf and she had to get up and turn off his phone too

Whoever had this test done at 5 AM is not a civilized person

[taxi]

2. Metro by T-Mobile also @ 4:46

[dameatball]

4. Yeah, mine went off too. Then I decided to get up and pee. That caused the cat to decide he was

hungry which made the dog decide he wanted to go outside. It was wunnerful.

[edbermac]

5. Lucky for them I was up.

[taxi]

6. With the information on hand, alerts were broadcast in Florida Operational Areas 9 and 11

Posts above show alerts in Broward and Lee Counties FL (areas 11 and 9). Florida areas are defined on this Operational Areas Map provided by State of Florida Emergence Alert System Plan, page 2. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-11/subpart-A/section-11.21

IV. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE
The Florida Emergency Alert System Operational Plan is prepared by the State
Emergency Communications Committee in conjunction with the Florida Division of
Emergency Management and is based on recommendations from state and county
emergency management officials, National Weather Service (NWS), and the broadcast
industry and cable operators. The responsibility of administering this Plan rests with the
members of the Florida State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC).

page 6

Assignment of Responsibilities:

2. Local Area Emergency Communications Committees
The State of Florida is divided into 12 major EAS Operational Areas based on the
broadcast industry's Audience of Dominant Influence (ADI). The ADIs are
recognized by the Federal Communications Commission. The operational area
committee and vice-chair are appointed by the FCC. Committee members are
appointed on a voluntary basis by the Operational Area committee chair. The
Operational Area Committees serve as sub-committees of the State Emergency
Communications Committee.
However, geographic or demographic influences have created “sub” areas that are
recognized by the Operational Area and State Emergency Communications
Committees.

page 9

The bottom line is this is who is responsible:
https://oppaga.fl.gov/ProgramSummary/ProgramDetail?programNumber=6001

For assistance, call 850-815-4000 or visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/

[Walleye]

8. This might result in people turning off their phones at night, defeating the whole purpose

[genxlib]

9. Yup

There are a ton of articles about it and half of them tell you how to turn the alarms off on your phone.

That kind of power is a responsibility. Once used carelessly, it can be forever damaged.