MCALLEN – The presidential alert was tested on cellphones across the country on Wednesday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent out the alert to phones nationwide. 

The McAllen assistant fire chief tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS the instant message helps first responders prepare if a national emergency occurs.  

"Anytime we get alerts like that, whether it's an Amber Alert, a Silver Alert or weather alert or in this case a national alert that gives us a heads up on what to expect that might be coming our way,” says McAllen Assistant Fire Chief Jim Schultz.  

Watch the video above for more information.