Emergency Alert System Test

At 1:00 PM CST (2:00 PM EST) on November 9, 2011 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The Test Signal will last 3 minutes and will be broadcast on all television and radio stations in the United States.

The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system as a way to alert the public during nationwide emergencies. The FCC has requested that public safety --and other local government officials-- help inform residents within their jurisdictions in advance of the test. FEMA and the FCC have already conducted a pilot test, in Alaska, and found that advance public notice helped keep from overwhelming 911 Centers during that test.

The public and the media can obtain additional information from the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau website at www.fcc.gov/pshs.

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