Emergency Alert Test to Hit Country

When local TV and radio stations sound the alarm Wednesday morning, don't stress—it's just a test, according to Los Angeles County officials.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have  announced that at 11 a.m. the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. The test will last about 45 to 60 seconds.

Here is more information from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:

"During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. We would like to ensure that all of your members, colleagues and the larger public are aware that this event will be just a test, and not a real emergency alert.

The test is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of their ongoing efforts to keep the nation safe during emergencies and strengthen our resilience against all hazards.

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, governors, and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts.

The 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.

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 wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public.

A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally.

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.

FEMA encourages 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."

— Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.