The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of a new Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, November 9th at 1 PM. The test is being conducted as part of ongoing efforts to keep the nation safe during emergencies and to strengthen our resilience against all hazards.
The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested.
This event will be just a test, and is not a real emergency alert.
The national Emergency Alert System is a warning system that can be activated by the U.S. President, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.
Similar to emergency alert system tests that are already conducted frequently on the local level, the nationwide test will involve television and radio stations across the United States. This national test will help our federal partners determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally. The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA with a chance to identify improvements that need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System.
We encourage you to use this event as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, and businesses. Visit href=http://www.Ready.gov>www.Ready.gov or call the La Grange Fire Department at (708) 579-2338 for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.