The Knox County Emergency Management Agency (KCEMA) will conduct a live test of the newly implemented Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
This test is a vital step in verifying the ability to send immediate, targeted information directly to mobile devices, televisions, and radio stations during life-safety emergencies.
What to Expect During the Test:
• Clear Identification: The notification will be explicitly marked as a “TEST MESSAGE.”
• No Action Required: Residents who receive the alert do not need to take any action.
• Why You Might Not See It: Many mobile devices are, by default, configured to skip “test” alerts. If you do not receive the message, it does not mean your phone is broken or that you won’t receive actual emergency alerts in the future.
As recently announced, KCEMA launched IPAWS to quickly reach as many people as possible in Galesburg and Knox County during an emergency without a lengthy registration process. No registration is required, and all mobile devices within the affected area will automatically receive an alert in the event of an emergency.
KCEMA provides emergency management services to Galesburg and Knox County, including planning for and responding to disasters, such as weather emergencies, hazardous material incidents, and other large-scale incidents that would overwhelm the normal emergency response. Visit the City of Galesburg website to learn more about KCEMA.
***Courtesy of Galesburg Fire Chief & KCEMA Coordinator, Randy Hovind***
