This Is Only A Test: First Emergency Alert System Test Held Nationwide Today

The first nationwide Emergency Alert System test will take place on Wednesday at 1 p.m. From the West Coast to the East and all points in between, every television, radio and wireless station will air the brief test at the same time.

Just as the city tests its tornado sirens and local and state emergency alerts have been broadcast on television for years, this is the first time a national test is taking place.

Programming will be interrupted with an audio message saying “this is a test.” Regular programming will continue after the test, which is expected to last 30 seconds. The test is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to a news release from the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. The Emergency Alert System would allow the President to address the country in the case of a major emergency.

Emergency Alert System Participants participate monthly tests at the state-level and weekly local tests, but no top-down review of the entire system has ever been undertaken, according to the FCC.

"The Commission, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will use the results of this nationwide test to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism, and will work together with EAS stakeholders to make improvements to the system as appropriate," The FCC said.

In a news release, Director of DuPage OHSEM Norm Sturm said the test emphasizes the role technology plays in disaster notification. 

“I encourage families and businesses to prepare ahead of time for an emergency which includes obtaining an all-hazards radio to ensure they can receive information during life-threatening situations,” Sturm said in the news release.

For more information regarding all-hazard radios and emergency preparedness, visit ProtectDuPage.org, the official website for DuPage County emergency information.  During emergencies, real-time updates and information may be found on the Protect DuPage Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information regarding the nationwide Emergency Alert System test visit fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm.