Politics & Government

Nationwide Emergency Test Scheduled for Wednesday

The 2 p.m. event is the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System

The Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have scheduled a test of the nation’s emergency alert system for Wednesday at 2 p.m.

This is the first test of the nationwide system.

The EAS has been around since 1994. It is designed to send emergency alerts and warnings at the national, state and local levels. Expect broadcasts on radio, TV, cable and other media services.

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Wednesday’s test is meant to assess the realiability and effectiveness of the system, according to a press release.

At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, FEMA will transmit the code for national emergencies. The alert will be rebroadcast until it has spread across the entire country the U.S. territories.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The FCC has a web page dedicated to the test, at www.fcc.gov/pshs.


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