Calm Down, It's Only a Test
FCC and FEMA to conduct first-ever nationwide test of emergency alert system Wednesday.
Radio listeners and TV watchers will have their programs interrupted for about three and a half minutes Wednesday for the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
The test, to take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, will look and sound very similar to local tests of the Emergency Alert System.
The national Emergency Alert System is a public warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the nation during emergencies.
According to the website of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is carrying out the test in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the purpose of the test is to "assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism. EAS participants currently participate in state-level monthly tests and local-level weekly tests, but no top-down review of the entire system has ever been undertaken. The Commission, along with (FEMA), will use the results of this nationwide test to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism."
For more information about the test, visit the FCC's website.
Paul J. DiBartolo
6:43 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Has Mr. Obama given us our grade yet? I'm wondering how we did on the test. Maybe Big Sis has the results.
Uncle Frank
7:08 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Good demonstration of how the government could commandeer all communications and control the dissemination of misinformation. 1984 redux. They aren't fooling anyone.
Paul J. DiBartolo
10:22 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I understand the Internet is next. Maybe they can commandeer all the OWS bullhorns and make a public service health announcement telling all the Occupiers to go home for an hour and wash off.