Posts Tagged ‘PSA’

Be Ready For Today’s Emergency Broadcast Test

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

At 1:20 PM CDT, the federal government will be conducting an emergency alert test.

WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.

The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones.

This year the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.

For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

Consider this a public service announcement so that you don’t freak out when this happens today.

Update: Bit of a snoozer, here. Just a text message that disappeared off my phone before I could read it, no alert noise because I keep my ringer off. And I rarely have the TV or radio on, so I didn’t get those alerts either.

William Shatner’s Annual Warning Not To Burn Yourself Frying A Turkey

Thursday, November 24th, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

As is my annual tradition, here’s William Shatner telling you how not to burn yourself frying a Turkey:

And here’s a message on that same theme from Uncle Sam:

Be careful out there…

Reminder: Texas Early Voting Starts Today

Monday, October 24th, 2022

Early voting for the Texas general election starts today.

Williamson County early voting locations can be found here.

Travis County early voting locations can be found here.

Might be a good time to locate your voter registration card.

Also, if you live in Round Rock ISD, be sure to read this.

Blue Alert in Mexia

Saturday, March 27th, 2021

A Blue Art has been issued for this guy:

Officials are searching for a man accused of shooting a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Friday near Mexia.

Law enforcement officials are searching for 37-year-old DeArthur Pinson Jr., in the shooting, which happened near U.S. Highway 84 west of Mexia in Limestone County, about 81 miles southeast of Dallas, according to the DPS.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association identified that wounded trooper as Chad Walker, a husband and father of four.

Walker was taken in critical condition to Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Hillcrest in Waco.

The blue alert describes him as a 37 year old, 220 pound black male, 6 feet tall, facial hair, wearing a black hoodie and shorts with a stripe down the sides. “Considered armed and dangerous.”

Mexia is 54 miles west east of Waco on highway 84.

If you’re in Texas, keep a lookout…

PSA: TPPF’s Policy Orientation for the Texas 2021 Legislative Session Starts Today

Wednesday, January 13th, 2021

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s policy orientation session for the 87th Texas Legislature starts today. Tickets for the live event are sold out, but you can still register to livestream the event here.

The event grid can be found here. Keynote speakers include Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Texas Representative Chip Roy, journalist Kimberley Strassel and Kevin Robert, as well as usual TPPF stalwarts like Chuck Devore, Vance Ginn and James Quintero.

A couple of the more interesting panels I will try to catch: the plenary “Election 2020: What Happened and What Does it Mean for the Future?” at 4:30 PM today, “The Reasons Behind the Homelessness Explosion” at 9:45 AM on Friday (might have to catch a recording of that), and “Closing Keynote Luncheon: A Fresh Take: New Members Look Ahead to Congress 2021” with newly minted Texas representatives August Pfluger, Beth Van Duyne, and Tony Gonzales (three of whom you may remember from this ad) as well as California Representative Michelle Steel at 12:30 PM on Friday.

I attended TPPF’s orientation back in 2013, and it’s worth participating in if you’re interested in state politics.

Reminder: Your Taxes Are Due Tomorrow!

Tuesday, July 14th, 2020

Remember the relief you felt that the Wuhan Coronavirus had delayed tax day from April 15 to July 15?

Well, that reprieve is expiring, and your taxes are due tomorrow.

If your taxes are simple (mine aren’t), you can probably use the free IRS filing tool. H&R Block also has a free filing tool.

President Donald Trump’s Full March 29, 2020 Speech on the Coronavirus Crisis

Sunday, March 29th, 2020

Seeing huge praise for this on Twitter, including Scott Adams saying it’s the best he’s ever seen. I’ve cut off 37 minutes of waiting at the beginning. Skip to 40 minutes in for President trump to start speaking.

The bad news is evidently that the lockdown recommendations are going to be extended through April 30.

It is what it is.

I just started watching it. I’m offering it up here as a Full Service Blog post.

Texas Early Voting Starts Today!

Tuesday, February 18th, 2020

Early voting in Texas starts today!

Here are some links for research:

  • The League of Women Voters.
  • Empower Texans endorsements.
  • Governor Greg Abbott’s endorsements.
  • Williamson County early voting locations.
  • Travis County voting locations.
  • A Tale of Two Rockeys.
  • And here are the websites for a few Republican candidates in down-ballot races:

  • Ryan Sitton, who’s running for the Railroad Commission.
  • Gina Parker, running for Texas Criminal Court of Appeals Place 3.
  • Mike Guevara, who’s running to take back Texas State Representative District 136 from John Bucy III.
  • William Shatner PSA on How Not To Set Yourself on Fire Frying a Turkey

    Thursday, November 22nd, 2018

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

    As a public service, I am once again offering up this video of William Shatner showing you how not to fry a Turkey:

    Happy eating, and stay safe!

    Austin Boil Notice Lifted

    Sunday, October 28th, 2018

    Good news, everyone!

    Austin Water lifted the boil water notice on Oct. 28, 2018. Customers no longer need to boil water used for drinking, cooking and making ice. Water quality testing submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has confirmed that tap water meets all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption.

    How do I know the water is safe?

    Austin Water has worked closely with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and has followed federal and state laws for rescinding a Boil Water Notice. Microbiological testing has been negative and water disinfection levels are within state-required standards. This also includes meeting adequate water pressure requirements in the distribution system.

    Do I need to flush the pipes in my home?

    No, it is not necessary or required to flush the pipes in your home. Water has continued to circulate in the distribution system during the Boil Water Notice. Water used for laundry, showering, or boiling for consumption has created enough flushing effect for most homes. There should be no need to flush water from hot water heaters, irrigation systems, showers, clothes washing machines or outdoor faucets.

    If you choose to flush water from your pipes, please limit the amount of water you use. We recommend following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines that suggest flushing for two minutes.

    What steps do I need to take for my refrigerator water dispenser and ice maker?

    We recommend drawing and discarding at least one quart of water from your refrigerator water dispenser before drinking. Automatic ice makers should be emptied of any ice created during the boil water order; allow the machine to make new ice and discard any ice produced during the next 24 hours.

    What are the procedures for medical, dental, and food service establishments?

    Medical, dental and food service establishments should contact Austin Public Health at 512-972-5000 or visit http://www.austintexas.gov/department/health for specific guidance.

    Our short regional inconvenience is finally over…