Emergency Alert System Test

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct the first nationwide test of the emergency alert system on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at 2 p.m. The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President to address the American public during emergencies. Remember this is only a test. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter/Released)

FEMA, FCC announce nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System

Published Nov. 7, 2011
By The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct the first nationwide test of the emergency alert system on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at 2 p.m.

The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President to address the American public during emergencies. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts.

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.

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, Emergency Alert System participants and other stakeholders have been working toward making this test a reality.