At 2 PM on Wednesday, November 9th, the FCC and FEMA will jointly conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for the very first time. The test should last approximately three minutes; typical test messages run about two minutes.
The FCC has stated the purpose is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system in alerting the public by using broadcast radio and TV, satellite radio and TV, cable TV and wireline video services. Mobile devices will not receive the test message.
An audio track will accompany the message, informing the public that "this is a test" of the system. However, the EAS message will use a "live" national code, the same code used in an actual emergency. As a result, there may be instances where the message will appear "real" due to any audio or visual limitations of EAS.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness will staff a watch officer to monitor the progress of the nationwide EAS test, as well as any influx of citizen inquiries. Visit http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test to learn more about the EAS test. Information is also available by contacting the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety at 610-631-6530.
The FCC has stated the purpose is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system in alerting the public by using broadcast radio and TV, satellite radio and TV, cable TV and wireline video services. Mobile devices will not receive the test message.
An audio track will accompany the message, informing the public that "this is a test" of the system. However, the EAS message will use a "live" national code, the same code used in an actual emergency. As a result, there may be instances where the message will appear "real" due to any audio or visual limitations of EAS.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness will staff a watch officer to monitor the progress of the nationwide EAS test, as well as any influx of citizen inquiries. Visit http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test to learn more about the EAS test. Information is also available by contacting the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety at 610-631-6530.