And now, a public service annoucement:
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. (EST), a test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System will occur on all radio and television stations. The test will run for three minutes, simultaneously, from coast to coast.
Most people are familiar with emergency alert system tests occurring on their local stations. However, the difference with Wednesday’s test is that it will occur on every radio and television station within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
It is the first test of this magnitude and the agencies involved have a little concern that some people will not know it is a test. (You may have heard about the panic caused by a radio broadcast of the “War of the World’s” in 1938.)
Authorities are asking everyone to spread the word. Here are specific items they want people to know about the test:
- It will be conducted Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. EST.
- It will be transmitted via television and radio stations.
- Similar to local emergency alert system tests, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: “This is a test.”
- When the test is over, regular programming will resume.
Help spread the word, “don’t stress; it’s only a test.”