Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test - November 9 at 11:00 a.m. PDT

BOMA San Francisco Members:

The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is scheduled for November 9, 2011 at 11: 00 a.m. PDT. The test will include an audio message stating "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio and television.

Here are the details: 

WHEN: Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. PDT, up to three minutes
WHERE: Every television and radio station, including cable television and satellite radio
WHY: To test simultaneous nationwide alert and notification capabilities

Here are the challenges: 

• It is possible the visual message on the television screen may not explicitly say “This is a TEST" 
• It is unclear if the messages will be translated into languages other than English, as translation is left up to each specific broadcast station 
• If someone is hearing impaired or does not understand English, they could take the test as an actual emergency situation 

How your can help:

 
It is imperative the community know that the test is a test and not an alert communicating an actual emergency. 

To mitigate these challenges, we ask that you inform your tenants of the test—especially those who may not receive clear communication that the EAS alert is only test (e.g., those who are deaf or hard of hearing and/or those with limited English proficiency). The following text is proposed language that the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management suggests you to send to your networks via a method you deem most appropriate; thank you in advance for disseminating: 

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PROPOSED EMAIL/LETTER CORRESPONDENCE TEXT 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. PDT. The test may last up to three and a half minutes and will be announced on every television and radio station, including cable television and satellite radio. The National-level EAS is a national public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Nationwide EAS Test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally.

The nationwide test will simultaneously involve television stations (including digital television, cable, satellite audio and television services and broadcast radio stations across the U.S. and several U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, America Samoa).

Here are the challenges: 

• It is possible the visual message on the television screen may not explicitly say “This is a TEST” 
• It is unclear if the messages will be translated into languages other than English, as translation is left up to each specific station 
• If someone is hearing impaired or does not understand English, they could take the test as an actual emergency situation 
• If someone is hearing impaired or does not understand English, they could take the test as an actual emergency situation. So, please be advised that on November 9 at 11am when you hear the EAS alert message, please know it is only a test. For more information about the Nationwide EAS Test, please visit http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test. 

Thank you.

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FAQs about the scheduled 11/9 EAS Test:

What is the National-level EAS? 

The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to the way local emergency alert system tests are conducted, the nationwide test will simultaneously involve television stations (including digital television, cable, satellite audio and television services) and broadcast radio stations across the U.S. and several U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, America Samoa).

Why is the test being conducted? 

The EAS test plays a key role in ensuring our nation is prepared for all hazards and that the public is able to receive critical and vital information, should it ever be needed.

The EAS has never been tested on a national level before, and this test is an opportunity to exercise the system and its capabilities at all levels. Ensuring that the EAS architecture functions properly is necessary for alerting at all levels of government. A more effective and functional EAS requires continual testing to identify necessary improvements. While EAS tests may be temporarily disruptive to radio and television programming, they are important to ensure that the EAS is functional.

When will the test occur? 

 
The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11: 00 a.m. PDT and may last up to three and a half minutes.

Who will participate in the Nationwide EAS test? 

 
EAS participants include all broadcasters, satellite and digital radio and television, cable and wireline video providers who ensure the system is at a constant state of readiness. The general public will experience the nationwide test of the EAS should they be engaged audiences.