Emergency Alert System to be Tested Nationwide Today

Don’t be alarmed. That sound you hear doesn’t mean there is an emergency today. It’s only a test.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct a national test of the Emergency Alert System at 2 p.m. today, said township Emergency Management Coordinator Austin Kosik. 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. An audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating that it is a test. When it’s over, regular programming will resume.

This is the first time the EAS will be tested across the country. The test will be broadcasted on radio and television outlets and it is expected to last approximately 30 seconds.

More information can be found on FEMA's blog, http://1.usa.gov/svCJ2zC, this contains information in Spanish and information interpreted using American Sign Language, and on the FCC Website, http://fcc.us/olX60X.