Emergency Alert System Test Today

"Don't stress... it's only a test," is what the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants you to know about Wednesday's test.

As part of FEMA's ongoing efforts to keep our country and communities safe during emergencies, they’re working in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The EAS test plays a key role in ensuring the nation is prepared for any type of hazard, and that the U.S. public can receive critical and vital information should it ever be needed.

Here are specific items FEMA wants everyone to know about the test:

• It will be conducted Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. EST.
• It will be transmitted via television and radio stations within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
• Similar to local emergency alert system tests, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: “This is a test.”
• When the test is over, regular programming will resume.

For additional information, visit the FEMA FAQ’s page and the FCC EAS Test page.