Nationwide Emergency Alert System test scheduled Published Nov. 3, 2011 By U.S. Air Force WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The federal government will conduct its first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System at 2 p.m. on Nov. 9, according to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency Office of Emergency Management. Regularly scheduled television, radio, cable and satellite programming will be interrupted for 3 and ½ minutes during the test, which is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. NOAA's National Weather Service, state governors, and state and local emergency authorities also can use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The Nov. 9 test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency, according to Pentagon officials. Similar to emergency alert system tests that are already conducted frequently on the local level, the nationwide test will involve television and radio stations across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wire line video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System. Pentagon officials also encourage all federal employees and the public to use this event as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.