In compliance with a National Alerting Program Apple devices running iOS 6 will be able to receive U.S. government alerts during an emergency or disaster.

“Government Alerts” will be a part of the iOS 6 operating system, which means that Wireless Emergency Alerts can be provided to Apple mobile device users. Author Rick Wimberley said Apple’s adoption of Wireless Emergency Alerts is “big news” for those who work in the emergency management industry. The new feature means that users can receive alerts from local, state and federal officials through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

The National Weather service also intends to start issuing Wireless Emergency Alerts by the end of June, meaning iPhone and iPad users will be able to receive weather warnings. There is also an option to opt out of warnings in the Settings menu represented by the usual on/off iOS toggle button. The U.S. government’s Wireless Emergency Alert system went live just last month. Carriers already offer users the ability to receive alerts via text message, without the need for support from mobile operating systems.