The National Wireless Emergency Alert System will be tested today and everyone in the country will receive an alert on their cell phone at the same time this afternoon. A short time later there will be an alert  broadcast on television and radio stations. The test will happen at 1:18 p.m. Central Time, when phones will display a Presidential Alert with the note: “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The TV and radio test will follow at 1:20 p.m. The Federal Emergency Management Administration said a Presidential Alert is for use in a national emergency and is the only type of wireless emergency alert that can be sent nationwide. These types of alerts would be sent in the event of major national emergency, such as a mass terrorism event.