The Emergency Alert System (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 (child abduction) alerts and severe weather warnings targeted to specific geographical regions or areas.
The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will be carried out at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on 9 November 2011. The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a mechanism to alert the public of emergencies. Although EAS Participants currently participate in state-level monthly tests and local-level weekly tests, there has never been a nationwide test of the system. The Federal Communications Commission, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, plan to use the results of this test to assess what works within the EAS and what does not and and to work together with EAS stakeholders to make improvements to the system as appropriate
Background information:
FCC: Emergency Alert System Nationwide Test
FCC: Nationwide EAS Test Handbook
FCC: Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau: Emergency Alert System
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