Nationwide test of Emergency Alert System next week

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 take place Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The test may be up to three and a half minutes in length.

This National-level EAS test 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.

What people will hear and see during the test:

• This national test may look like regular local EAS tests that most people are already familiar with, but there will be some differences in what viewers will see and hear.

• The audio message will repeat “This is a test.” The video message scroll may not indicate “This is a test.” The message will last for approximately three minutes and then regular programming will resume.

• Only call 9-1-1 if you have an actual emergency requiring a response from police, fire or emergency medical services (EMS).

• Calls to 9-1-1 to get information about this test should not be made.

• Please do not contact your local police or sheriff’s office as this is only a test. Calls to 9-1-1 to inquire about the test are considered non-emergency calls. These types of calls may overwhelm the telephone network at emergency call centers and delay 9-1-1 from receiving calls from citizens reporting real emergencies.

For more information go to http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/eas.pdf. Please help us ensure that callers with actual emergencies can get through to 9-1-1.

During 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. For more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency, visit http://www.Ready.gov.