Don't Stress—It's Only a Test

As part of its ongoing effort to keep communities safe during emergencies, the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.

The first nationwide test will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

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

This test may last more than three minutes, and will be transmitted via television and radio stations within the U.S.—including Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

Similar to local emergency alert system tests, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: “This is a test.”

When the test is over, regular programming will resume. 

For more information about the nationwide Emergency Alert System test, please visit http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407 and www.FCC.gov.