Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test is Wednesday

A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Similar to the local emergency alert tests conducted on a regular basis, the national test will include all broadcast TV stations, radio stations and video providers. It will last up to 60 seconds.

Charter will be actively participating in this test. 

Although the EAS has existed for more than 15 years, there has never been a nationwide system test. The test is being conducted to verify EAS system’s reliability and its effectiveness in alerting the public nationally.

The national EAS test will be conducted jointly by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), the three federal agencies that have EAS management responsibilities.

During the test, listeners will hear a message that states: “This is a test.”

Although Wednesday’s test will resemble the local tests, there will be some differences.

The audio message will be the same for everyone. However, due to some limitations, the video test message on cable TV systems will not indicate it is a test.

This is due to the use of the live emergency alert code – the same code that would be used in an actual emergency. The text at the top of the television screen may indicate that an “Emergency Action Notification has been issued.”

Charter wants to ensure that all customers, specifically those that are elderly and hearing impaired, are aware this is only a test and there is no need to become alarmed.

For more information regarding Wednesday’s nationwide EAS test, go to www.fcc.gov/pshs.