An apparatus and method for sending emergency alert information to inactive mobile stations in a wireless communication system includes a step of receiving 802, by a radio access network, emergency alert information for mobile stations. A next step includes determining 803 wake-up periods for at least two inactive mobile stations. A next step includes sending 805 a message to each of the at least two mobile stations, during the wake-up periods for each of the at least two each inactive mobile station, that includes instructions to wake up in a common emergency alert listening frame. A next step includes conveying 806 emergency alert instructions in the common emergency listening frame to the mobile stations.