Don't Stress, It's Only a Test

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System this afternoon.

According to the official Web site, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is working in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at 2 p.m. EST today. 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.

Over the past year, these agencies have been working with the broadcast community, cable operators and programmers as well as other communications service providers that participate in the Emergency Alert System. These are reported to including state, local, tribal, and territorial partners; and other critical stakeholders to help inform all members of the public regarding the nationwide Emergency Alert System test.

The following is specific information F.E.M.A. wants the public to be made aware of regarding this nationwide test. It will be broadcast on all the television and radio channels and people will not be able to move to another channel to avoid hearing the message. , for example, has said through commercials and messages when you call its offices that after the test is over, customers might even have to power off and power back on their cable boxes to resume service. Changing channels when the test is over ought to do the trick. DirecTV and Dish Network also will participate in the test.

• It will be conducted today at 2 p.m. EST, and could last as long as 3 and a half minutes.

• 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.

The FCC and other partners are working together to spread the word to as many members of the public as possible–so people know what to expect when the test takes place, and no one is caught off guard.

“We're asking everyone to join us by spreading the word to your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family–share this Web page, post a message on your social media site, and feel free to embed our videos on your Web site or blog,” the Web site reads.

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

Related Topics: Emergency Alert System, FEMA, and FCC.