FEMA to conduct nationwide EAS test today
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System today at 1:20 p.m. local time.
The goal of the mandatory test is to ensure the operational readiness and effectiveness of the system that would allow the President to send a message to the American people within minutes of a national emergency. The alert will be simulcast on all radio, television, and cable systems in the country. Only the EAS will be tested today. Cell phone and other FEMA alerting capabilities will not be tested today.
In the event of an unforseen circumstance, such as a major weather event or actual national emergency, a back-up date for the national test will be Wednesday, October 5th at 1:20 p.m. central time.
