FEMA, FCC, NOAA conduct nationwide test of Emergency Alert System on Nov. 9

On Wednesday, Nov. 9 at approximately 2 p.m., Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will test the Emergency Alert System (EAS) using the Presidential message code, Emergency Activation Notification (EAN).

The EAN is the national activation of the EAS and can only be activated by the President or the President’s representative (Vice President). While tests have been conducted in the past at both the local and state levels, this will be the first time a test has been conducted across the entire country.

The test is meant to be a system live test and will be very different from the ones we have become accustomed to hearing.

How will this test be different?

1. The test will come from FEMA.
2. It will be more than 3 minutes in length. (The test we are accustomed to hearing are usually 10 seconds for weekly tests and 1 minute for monthly tests).
3. All radio, television, cable, and satellite operators will air the test simultaneously.

Please remember, THIS IS ONLY A TEST on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

For more information, visit FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/eastest/.