“This is a test.” Those are the words people across the United States will hear at 2 p.m. on Nov. 9 when first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be conducted. The test that could last for more than three minutes will involve all broadcast media in the U.S. and its territories.
The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The nationwide test is the first of its kind in the modern era and will be conducted by FEMA and FCC and will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. EST and may last up to three and a half minutes.
Similar to local EAS tests that are already conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa, according to FEMA.
“The upcoming national test is critical to ensuring that the EAS works as designed,” said Jamie Barnett, Chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. “As recent disasters here at home and in Japan have reminded us, a reliable and effective emergency alert and warning system is key to ensuring the public’s safety during times of emergency. We look forward to working with FEMA in preparation for this important test.”
Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Pete Nelms said the test will help federal agencies determine the effectiveness of emergency communications on a nationwide basis.
“Fayette, like all communities across America, will be affected. People should not be alarmed by it because this is just a test, it’s just not your average test,” Nelms said. “We’re trying to test the system so that if a national emergency arises, information can be effectively communicated to people across the country.”
On Nov. 9, the public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio and television.
Under the FCC’s rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally, according to FEMA.
“A national test of our Emergency Alert System, with the vital communications support and involvement of participants, is a step towards ensuring that the alert and warning community is prepared to deliver critical information that can help save lives and protect property,” said Damon Penn, FEMA’s Assistant Administrator of National Continuity Programs.
“Because there has never been an activation of the Emergency Alert System on a national level, FEMA views this test as an excellent opportunity to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system. It is important to remember that this is not a pass or fail test, but a chance to establish a baseline for making incremental improvements to the Emergency Alert System with ongoing and future testing. It is also important to remember that the Emergency Alert System is one of many tools in our communications toolbox, and we will continue to work on additional channels that can be a lifeline of information for people during an emergency.”
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.
The FEMA press release can be viewed on the Fayette County website at www.fayettecountyga.gov.
