The City of Round Rock will participate in a statewide test of emergency alert systems on Thursday, April 2, as required by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to ensure public safety systems are functioning properly and ready for use during emergencies.

This test is unique in that it will involve emergency alert messaging from multiple levels of government in a short time frame. Testing will occur between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. across the region on Thursday, April 2, for all city, county and other government agencies. Some agencies will be testing both in-house notification systems that produce texts, emails and/or calls (for instance, Warn Central Texas for City of Round Rock and Thrillshare for Round Rock ISD), and others will also be testing Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) messaging, which is most closely associated with AMBER Alerts and weather alerts and produces a loud ringer and vibration on cell phones.

The City’s test message will be issued to residents within Round Rock city limits during Thursday’s exercise. Depending on location, some nearby Municipal Utility District (MUD) residents may also receive notifications; however, Williamson County generally serves as the primary source for emergency messaging for unincorporated areas.

It is important to understand these alerts are only a test of the system, and no action is required. Do not call 911 for information about this exercise.

While multiple agencies will issue alerts during this test, emergency notifications are typically more targeted and situation-specific in real-world events. When possible, the City coordinates with Williamson County, regional partners and/or public safety officials on scene to determine the most effective communication method during an emergency. Other communication methods may be more appropriate depending on the situation, and alerts are used strategically to avoid alert fatigue. Residents may also receive notifications from the City’s regional partners through Warn Central Texas (RNS) or Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). During real-world events, residents should stay informed through local news, a NOAA Weather Radio, roundrocktexas.gov and official on-the-ground guidance from public safety officials, including any shelter-in-place or evacuation instructions.

“Regular training and testing of public warning systems builds readiness before disaster strikes and is an important component of community safety,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd in a recent press release from TDEM. “Conducting drills to reaffirm procedures, promote confidence in technological tools and identify potential shortfalls is key to ensuring these systems operate with precision, accuracy and timeliness when they are needed the most.”

If you have a disability, medical need or limited mobility, consider registering for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) so emergency responders can better plan to support you. While specific services are not guaranteed, registering at STEAR.Texas.gov helps ensure no one is overlooked during an emergency.