The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism.
Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 2 PM there will be a nationwide emergency alert test.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
The test will be carried on all broadcast television, radio stations, and cable and satellite television systems in the U.S. and U.S. territories. Although EAS has been used locally for many tests and notifications, such as tornadoes, there has never been a nationwide test.
The system, initially designed in the 1950s, is run by FEMA and the FCC. In 2006 President Bush signed an executive order to mandate the nationwide system and national alert capability.
Since the national system has never been tested, DHS officials say this is an important trial to see how it works. It is expected to last 30 seconds.
The Commission, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will use the results of this nationwide test to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism, and will work together with EAS stakeholders to make improvements to the system as appropriate.
The emergency alert test will take place Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 2 PM. All television and radio stations will be participating. Programming will be interrupted with a series of beeps and tones for 30 seconds during the test.
