On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. (PST), people across the state will hear those familiar tones or see that test message across their screens saying “this is a test.” The difference this time is that this test is happening across the nation, all at the same time. It will be a first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) giving federal, state and local officials the opportunity to make sure vital life-safety information can be communicated from the nation’s capital to the public via broadcasters and cable operators.
- You will hear the familiar EAS tone, a voice say “this is a test,” and potentially see a message on your television or radio.
- It will last less than 4 minutes.
- No action is needed or required on the part of the public.
The nationwide EAS test is being coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service (NWS). For more information, please visit http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
