Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Informational Toolkit & PSAs Available
Don’t forget: On Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. EST, FEMA will transmit the EAS code for national emergencies in the first-ever nationwide emergency alert system test. FEMA is working to provide EAS-relevant information, and you can help by getting the word out to your local media outlets this weekend.
Also, after a careful review of the technical elements of the test, FEMA and the FCC have concluded that a 30-second test — instead of the three-minute test originally planned — will allow the agencies to effectively assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a way to alert the public of national emergencies with limited disruption to the public. Today’s public notice supersedes any prior Public Notice, and announces that a revised Handbook reflecting the new 30-second test length has been posted at www.fcc.gov/nationwideeastest.
What is the Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA,) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will send an EAS test message to all participating radio, television, cable, and satellite providers.
What Can I Expect to Hear/See?
The 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.
Where Will I Hear/See the Test?
On all participating radio, television, cable, and satellite providers (who are called EAS Participants).
When Will the Test Occur?
November 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM (Eastern). The 2:00 PM (Eastern) time was selected to make sure the Test can occur during normal business hours across many time zones.
Download an informational toolkit and sample public service announcements.
National EAS Test PSA SAMPLE 1 (News-Talk version)
National EAS Test PSA Sample 2 (Rock CHR version)
