Editor's Note (Nov 2): Visit www.fema.gov/eastest for more information, including our new widget.
Over the past few months, we have written on this blog about the upcoming nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, which is now less than two weeks away. The test will take place on Wednesday, November 9th at 2:00 pm eastern standard time, and will be the first time this system, which is often tested and used by officials at the local level, will be tested across the entire country.
The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the President, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. NOAA’s National Weather Service, governors, and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency. It is a critical communications tool that can provide alerts, warning and information rapidly across multiple television and radio platforms.
Our top priority is to make sure that all members of the public know that this test is coming up – and that it is just a test. For most of us, this test will look and sound very similar to the local tests of the Emergency Alert System that we often see on TV or hear on the radio.
But as we always say here at FEMA, we’re just part of the team – and we’re counting on all of you to help us spread the word in your communities, with your co-coworkers, neighbors, friends and loved ones.
To help do that, we have put together a couple of videos you can use to help explain what this test is and what people can expect:
Administrator Fugate and FEMA’s Neil McDevitt explain the test in American Sign language:
Embed code:
FEMA's Dawn Hart provides key information about the test in Spanish:
Embed code:
We've been actively engaged with our partners at the Federal Communications Commission, our state, tribal, territorial and local partners, the broadcast community, and other key stakeholders in getting ready for this test. We hope that you will help us spread the word about the Emergency Alert System test by sharing these videos on your websites – or with your communities.
Copy the above code or embed the video from our YouTube channel.
You can read our blog post when we first announced the EAS Test and visit the FCC website for more information about the test, including additional answers to some frequently asked questions.
Comments
Not everyone listens to radio or watches tv. How w...
I do not hear the NOAA tornado alarm coming from C...
The government can't be all things for all peo...
Why aren't you directing people to your own Na...
Carry a short wave radio, cell phone, ect. You ca...
People complain about the plan for FEMA to be able...
What would you like them to do, drop flyers? Just...
I understand the need for the warning of the test ...
However daunting the task, each individual and cer...
Why does the potus need control of radio and telev...
Our county received a grant which then they instal...
A test this extensive and widespread should be don...
FEMA, How about adding a few social media buttons ...
how is this message implemented? through landline ...
I think it's great. It'll be interesting t...
If you are working outside, not near TV broadcast ...
First of all, POTUS needs a way to quickly speak t...
Why is this test not including emergency weather a...
How can I opt out of this warning? Is there a DO N...
i WANT to thank you FEMA for warning me of impendi...
Cute idea... but an antiquated delivery...Who is w...
Wouldn't it suck if the terrorist hit us at th...
Oh my God! What is wrong with all of you people? ...
@Kate: Good suggestions. Hopefully, FEMA is trying...
I am amazed at the ignorance of most of these resp...
Is this coincidental that the "test" is ...
WOW, too many people are negative. You must be you...
This is a great way to move forward with our EAS s...
FEMA needs a website update and a few "share&...
So, the President will have the ability to shut do...
Sounds like the "Left Behind" books!
You know some of these people are right. They sho...
There must be something fixing to happen there not...
How about emergency online ? Most folks during the...
Internet is WORLDWIDE not just american
First of all, this is a test of the SYSTEM. It is ...
I read the FEMA report on why we are having the te...
Have watched the news and did not hear anyhting ab...
I agree with people who understand, that this test...
Someone suggested that running an alarm on TV and ...
So what advantage does advance notice give anyone?...
I think an effective way of transmitting this Nati...
In my community we have sirens to alert us of bad ...
That's STUPID! In case of emergency, what do ...
Maybe some people missed the point: This is a test...
you realize you are conducting the test AFTER the ...
If there ever is a need for a nationwide alert; yo...
So why did our government decide to have this test...
FEMA needs to produce some browser extensions and ...
Just wanted to say thanks to the folks at FEMA. Th...
Add new comment