Emergency Alert System Test - November 9th, 2011 at 2:00 PM. Please do NOT contact 911

There will be a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System across all television, radio, and alerting systems on Novemeber 9th, 2011 at 2:00 PM.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT 911 FOR THIS TEST.

As quoted by APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) "9-1-1 communications centers and PSAPs could experience an onslaught of calls when the first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is conducted on Wednesday. During the national EAS test, no matter where citizens tune their radio or television (broadcast, cable or satellite), they will hear the same EAS tones and message. Public overreaction is a distinct possibility.

The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. EST. Originally, the FCC anticipated the test would last up to three-and-a-half minutes, but in a Public Notice released on Nov. 3, the FCC revised its expectation, stating:

“After a careful review of the technical elements of the test, FEMA and the FCC have concluded that a thirty-second test will allow the agencies to effectively assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a way to alert the public of national emergencies with limited disruption to the public. Today’s public notice supersedes any prior Public Notice..."

More information can be found here - http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test