U.S. Tests Nationwide Alert System November 9

If you record the afternoon soap operas, there will be a short interruption at 2 pm on Wednesday, November 9. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) will combine to test the Emergency Alert System (EAS). This is only a test.

The EAS is tested regularly on state and local levels. Formerly known as the Emergency Broadcast System, Americans are familiar with the high pitched tone and the script that tells us "This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency..." There has never been a national test of the system and November 9 will be that first test.

The Emergency Alert System is intended to provide information to the public in an emergency. It can be used for natural disasters as well as other threats to the people of a region, state or the nation. It would have been the warning of a nuclear attack during the Cold War.

The alert will be broadcast by key television and radio stations. Cable systems, satellite television and radio and other related media will then pick up the alert and retransmit it. FEMA states that this is the first step in modernizing the system. The Internet, cellular telephones and other mobile devices will not be a part of this test.

The current testing and preparation for modernization is a result of an Executive Order by President Bush. Executive Order 13407 of June 26, 2006 replaced the Emergency Broadcast System with the EAS. It established as national policy:
"an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people in situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster, or other hazards to public safety and well-being"

It assigned the administration of the EAS to the Department of Homeland Security. It directed the department to coordinate with other Federal departments such as Defense, Commerce and the FCC. Included in the order is provision to make the EAS understandable for those with disabilities and for those who do not understand the English language.

It is only a test. If all goes well, Americans will see exactly the same test they are used to seeing. This time, however, the order will have come from Washington.