The US Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced they will conduct the first ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 pm eastern standard time. 

The test may last up to three and a half minutes.

The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies. It is also used by NOAA’s National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities for the issuance of more localized emergency alerts.

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 US Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

“The upcoming national test is critical to ensuring that the EAS works as designed,” said Jamie Barnett, Chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. “As recent disasters here at home and in Japan have reminded us, a reliable and effective emergency alert and warning system is key to ensuring the public’s safety during times of emergency.  We look forward to working with FEMA in preparation for this important test.” [To read the rest of the article, click here.]

(SOURCE: http://www.hstoday.us/)

NOTE: Three Mile Island siren test to take place Thursday