San Angelo Fire Department to Test Emergency Alert System Tuesday

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Fire Department will perform a test of the emergency alert system on Tuesday, February 25 at 10 a.m. The purpose of the test is to make sure all platforms are being reached and that there are no issues.

According to a press release, the emergency alert system is used to warn the public of impending emergencies due to a severe storm or a tornado sighting in the area.

The alerts will be sent out over landlines using reverse 9-1-1 and will also be posted on The City of San Angelo Facebook and Twitter pages.

The criteria for sending alerts for severe weather remains the same: sustained winds (versus gusts) of at least 58 mph, hail at least 1 inch in diameter (the size of a quarter), and/or a tornado warning. Information about severe weather comes from the National Weather Service or a trained weather spotter in the field. The criteria were established by agreement of the Tom Green County judge and San Angelo’s mayor and city manager, per NOAA recommendations.

The primary use is for severe weather but the system can also alert citizens about an active shooter, wildfire or any other imminent danger. The warnings can also alert the public of instances that affect large numbers of citizens, such as a major water main break.

The IPAWS alerts, which will not be tested on Feb. 25, are similar to Amber alerts received on cell phones. The IPAWS alerts are tested in a lab through the federal system. When activated by the SAFD, alerts will be sent to every cell phone within the area designated – whether a neighborhood or the entire county. No registration is needed to receive the warnings.