Nov. 9, 2011 -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency is giving the U.S. a test today (Wednesday) – the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.
The Nov. 9 EAS test will occur at 2 p.m. for Westchester residents and all others in the Eastern Standard Time zone. It will last for 30 seconds.
According to FEMA:
· The nationwide test, similar to local emergency alert system tests, will feature an audio message that will interrupt television and radio programming indicating "This is a test" and noting there is no actual emergency.
· The test message will be transmitted via television and radio stations within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
· When the test is over, regular programming will resume.
The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies. The National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts.
County Executive Robert P. Astorino said FEMA has asked all government officials to help make the public aware of the nationwide test and its importance to emergency preparedness and planning.
"The EAS system is a crucial tool that can be used at all levels of government to inform the public in the event of an emergency," Astorino said. "This test is also an additional reminder to our residents that it's always smart to prepare for emergencies ahead of time."
Those preparations include having emergency supplies at home, making a plan for where you might stay if you had to leave home, and having a go-bag ready in case you had to leave quickly.
More information on emergency preparedness is available at: http://keepingsafe.westchestergov.com/ and http://emergencyservices.westchestergov.com/.
To prepare for the national test, FEMA has been working with the broadcast community, cable operators and programmers, and other communications service providers that participate in the Emergency Alert System. The test is being coordinated with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service.
"The EAS test plays a key role in ensuring the nation is prepared for any type of hazard, and that the U.S. public can receive critical and vital information should it ever be needed," FEMA said in a statement.
For more information on the nationwide test, go to: www.ready.gov.