Wireless emergency alerts: Public understanding, trust, and preferences following the 2021 US nationwide test

Abstract

Abstract On August 11, 2021, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) conducted the second national test of the wireless emergency alerts (WEA) system. The first test was conducted in 2018. This study offers an analysis of a nationwide survey (N = 1056) administered in the days immediately following the 2021 national test. The analysis indicates that a substantial number of respondents do not well understand the uses of the WEA system, especially the “National Alert” message class. However, more respondents believe that the “National Alert” message class label would signal more trustworthy information than the “Presidential Alert” message class label, a finding that bolsters the FCC's 2021 decision to abandon the “Presidential Alert” message class label. Despite a lack of accurate understanding of message classes and opt‐out options, a substantial number of respondents trust the WEA system to work properly. A clear majority of respondents would appreciate device‐based public education materials about the WEA system. The implications of the survey findings for WEA system management and public education are discussed.

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