FEMA Announces the Next National EAS Test

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that the next National Emergency Alert System (EAS) test will take place on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 2:20 p.m. All broadcasters are required to participate in this test, which will be conducted in the same manner as the test conducted in September 2016. The back-up date is Wednesday, October 4, 2017. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) is now open and accepting 2017 filings, and the EAS Operating Handbook is now available to EAS participants. All broadcasters are encouraged to review the FCC's guidance for how to prepare for the national test. In particular, broadcasters must renew their identifying information in the FCC's EAS Test Reporting System by August 28, 2018. Instructional videos and answers to frequently asked questions about entering data into the system can be found on the FCC's website.