First National EAS Test November 9th

First National EAS Test November 9th

The National Emergency Alert System or EAS will be conducting a nationwide test of the system on Wednesday, November 9 at 1 p.m. This is the first time EAS has been tested nationally.   Virtually all broadcast and cable programming in the U.S. will be interrupted at the same time with the standard emergency tone and message.   Unlike typical tests that have been conducted before, this message may run up to three and a half minutes on all channels.   

 The EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, wireline video providers, satellite digital audio radio service providers and direct broadcast satellite service providers to make their communications facilities available to the President during a national emergency. The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information such as AMBER alerts and severe weather warnings targeted to specific geographical regions or areas.