Mandatory nationwide test of Emergency Alert System September 27


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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will hold a mandatory nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on September 27, 2017, at 1:20 p.m. Central Time. The test will assess the distribution of a national level test message, as well as verify its delivery.

 

The EAS test will be held on the radio, television, cable, and direct broadcast satellite systems, and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test’s message will be similar to the regular monthly test message of the EAS with which the public is familiar. This is the third mandatory nationwide test of the EAS.

Conducting the test following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria will provide insight into the resiliency of our national-level alerting capabilities in impacted areas. The test will also provide valuable data into how the Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System performs during and following a variety of conditions. With four major hurricanes already making landfall, and a potential for more before the end of hurricane season in November, we need to have the ability to maintain the continuity of critical infrastructure under various conditions.

The backup date for the test is October 4, 2017, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern, in case the September 27 test is canceled.

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