We were given this at work. There are links at the bottom about it.
On November 9th FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national test of
the Nationwide Emergency Alert System test. This test will kick off at 1:00
p.m. (CST). The test will be nationwide, running concurrently across all
time zones.
This system test is the first of its kind. It is designed to broadcast a
nationwide message to the American public. Nothing like it has been
conducted in the history of the country. There have been tests in the past
but none to all parts of the Nation at the same time. The test will run
concurrently on all radio and TV band and the message will run for three
minutes. Most messages in the past were anywhere from 30 seconds to 1
minute.
There is great concern in local police and emergency management circles
about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not
indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation
message might create panic. Please share this information with your family
and friends so they are aware of the test.
Below is additional information, along with two websites, that will provide
more information...
What will people hear and see during the Test?
During the test, listeners will hear a message indicating that "This is a
test." Although the EAS Test may resemble the periodic, monthly EAS tests
that most Americans are already familiar with, there will be some
differences in what viewers will see and hear. The audio message will be the
same for all EAS participants; however due to limitations in the EAS, the
video test message scroll may not be the same or indicate that "this is a
test." This is due to the use of the live EAN code - the same code that
would be used in an actual emergency. The text at the top of the television
screen may indicate that an "Emergency Alert Notification has been issued."
This notification is used to disseminate a national alert and in this case,
the test. In addition, the background image that appears on video screens
during an alert may indicate that "this is a test," but in some instances
there might not be an image at all.
There are several limitations to the current EAS for individuals with access
and functional needs. FEMA and the FCC are committed to providing
organizations and the EAS community with information well in advance of the
Test. FEMA and the FCC will further engage the EAS community to better
understand the wide range of information and access needs in preparation for
the national EAS. IPAWS has been performing outreach to access and
functional needs organizations in several different forums, including
working groups and roundtables led by the FEMA Office of Disability
Integration and Coordination, with representation from multiple FEMA program
offices, other Department of Homeland Security components, and other Federal
Departments and Agencies.
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/
Here are the official links from FCC, FEMA and DHS. This test of the
Nationwide Emergency Alert System is official and will kick off at
Wednesday, 9 November 2011 at 1400 ET
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
http://blog.dhs.gov/2011/10/fema-blog-emergency-alert-system-test.html
Here is a video message about the test from the FCC -
http://transition.fcc.gov/email_camp/media/30SEC_EAS_PSA_open-C1.mov
On November 9th FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national test of
the Nationwide Emergency Alert System test. This test will kick off at 1:00
p.m. (CST). The test will be nationwide, running concurrently across all
time zones.
This system test is the first of its kind. It is designed to broadcast a
nationwide message to the American public. Nothing like it has been
conducted in the history of the country. There have been tests in the past
but none to all parts of the Nation at the same time. The test will run
concurrently on all radio and TV band and the message will run for three
minutes. Most messages in the past were anywhere from 30 seconds to 1
minute.
There is great concern in local police and emergency management circles
about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not
indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation
message might create panic. Please share this information with your family
and friends so they are aware of the test.
Below is additional information, along with two websites, that will provide
more information...
What will people hear and see during the Test?
During the test, listeners will hear a message indicating that "This is a
test." Although the EAS Test may resemble the periodic, monthly EAS tests
that most Americans are already familiar with, there will be some
differences in what viewers will see and hear. The audio message will be the
same for all EAS participants; however due to limitations in the EAS, the
video test message scroll may not be the same or indicate that "this is a
test." This is due to the use of the live EAN code - the same code that
would be used in an actual emergency. The text at the top of the television
screen may indicate that an "Emergency Alert Notification has been issued."
This notification is used to disseminate a national alert and in this case,
the test. In addition, the background image that appears on video screens
during an alert may indicate that "this is a test," but in some instances
there might not be an image at all.
There are several limitations to the current EAS for individuals with access
and functional needs. FEMA and the FCC are committed to providing
organizations and the EAS community with information well in advance of the
Test. FEMA and the FCC will further engage the EAS community to better
understand the wide range of information and access needs in preparation for
the national EAS. IPAWS has been performing outreach to access and
functional needs organizations in several different forums, including
working groups and roundtables led by the FEMA Office of Disability
Integration and Coordination, with representation from multiple FEMA program
offices, other Department of Homeland Security components, and other Federal
Departments and Agencies.
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/
Here are the official links from FCC, FEMA and DHS. This test of the
Nationwide Emergency Alert System is official and will kick off at
Wednesday, 9 November 2011 at 1400 ET
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
http://blog.dhs.gov/2011/10/fema-blog-emergency-alert-system-test.html
Here is a video message about the test from the FCC -
http://transition.fcc.gov/email_camp/media/30SEC_EAS_PSA_open-C1.mov