Emergency Alert System Test is Today

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will be conducting the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System at 2 p.m. EST Wednesday. 

The EAS test plays a key role in ensuring the nation is prepared for any type of hazard and that the U.S. public can receive critical and vital information should it ever be needed.

This test will last for approximately 30 seconds and be transmitted via television and radio stations within the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

The audio message, which will be preceded by a tone, will be the same across all radio and television channels nationally and will indicate that this is a test.

For additional information, visit the FEMA FAQ’s page and the FCC EAS Test page.