Most cell users will receive a blaring test message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 11:18 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

This test will assess the system’s capabilities to send a message simultaneously nationwide and determine where improvements are needed, Long Beach officials said in a statement Tuesday. This test will be immediately followed by a nationwide Emergency Alert System test.

The test message will be sent to cell phones that are connected to participating wireless carriers. Similar to AMBER Alert messages, a loud electronic tone will precede the test message.

 Long Beach officials noted that FEMA’s test system is different than the city’s warning alerts. It is not necessary to sign up for federal alerts, but residents do need to sign up for the city’s alert system (and can do so here).