By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
We’ve heard the tone and the warnings through the years on television and radio, and some can remember the full-screen message from the 1960s that said “please stand by.”
But at 1 p.m. (Missouri time) on Wednesday, Nov. 9, there will be a different type of nationwide test.
A number of federal agencies are partnering tomorrow for the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. Joining the program is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Over the past year, the agencies have been working with the broadcast community, cable operators and programmers, and other communications service providers that participate in the Emergency Alert System.
Here are specific items about the test:
- It will be conducted Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. EST(1 p.m. in Missouri)
- It 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.
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," White House press secretary Jay Carney told a gaggle of reporters Tuesday.
The test will only last about 30 seconds and will be broadcast on television and radio stations across the country.
"Just wanted to make sure everybody knows that it's just a test," Carney added.
