Sedona AZ (November 9, 2011) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 2 p.m. eastern time which is Noon Arizona time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.”
The audio message will be the same for radio, television, and cable. The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies.
Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline providers across all states and territories. Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, State, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS Participants, and others in the EAS Community have been working toward making this test a reality.
As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.
Anyone can visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.
Visit www.Ready.gov to be prepared!
Nationwide Emergency Alert Broadcast (from US Coast Guard Operations): Just so you are aware…on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test. This nationwide test will kick off at 2:00 p.m. (EST) and run concurrently across all time zones. This system test is the first of its kind designed to broadcast a nationwide message to the American public. In the history of the country, nothing like it has been conducted on such a level. As you may be aware, there have been tests in the past, but not of this magnitude encompassing all regions of the Nation simultaneously. The three (3) minute test will run concurrently on all radio and TV stations exceeding the previous messages broadcast which were anywhere from a 30 second to 1 minute message. There is great concern in local police and emergency management circles about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation regarding the message might create panic. Please share this information with your family and friends (especially those who do not have access to the internet) so they are aware of the test.
Here are websites that will provide more information regarding this test:
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
http://www.fema.gov/eastest/
https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/