If your cell phone rings at 2:20 p.m. ET today (11:20 a.m. GMT), don't panic. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).

The goal is to make sure both systems are functioning properly, so there is no need to worry. That way, we can alert the American public in the event of a legitimate nationwide emergency. If all goes according to plan, the alert will be pushed to television, radio, and telephone.

A preliminary test is scheduled for October 11 if a real emergency occurs or if these plans are disrupted on October 4.

The WEA drill will send an alert to cell phones, the second time cell phones have been included in the national test. The alerts themselves are expected to arrive within 30 minutes of the 2:20 p.m. test time, and will include the message "This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. You do not need to do anything.

This will likely be accompanied by what the FCC calls "unique alert signals and vibrations." No doubt to make it easier to distinguish between alerts and other types of notifications; according to the FCC, it cannot block national alerts like local alerts, such as Amber Alerts.

EAS alerts are broadcast on TV and radio for about a minute, with a similar message.

Therefore, set up a calendar event or remember the date and time well so that the alert does not have any impact. You don't want to forget and have a strange chime go off and cause a temporary panic - especially if you are in the middle of something important, such as driving.

Once the test starts, you don't have to do anything. Just be aware that the test is taking place. Especially if you plan to wear headphones around test time.