The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is only 10 days away. Now is the time to make sure your station is fully prepared. The test will be conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at approximately 2 p.m. (EST).

All radio and television stations must participate in the Nationwide EAS Test, and should take immediate steps to prepare for the test. For all of the important information and guidance needed to successfully prepare your station for this test, please visit NAB’s Nationwide EAS Test website.

This resource includes two new critical pieces of information that the FCC released this week: 

1. Nationwide EAS Test Handbook. All stations must download this handbook and place a copy at normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations when an operator is required to be on duty. This handbook must be immediately available to staff responsible for administering the Nationwide EAS Test. This new handbook will supersede all other EAS handbooks for the duration of the November 9, 2011 Nationwide EAS Test.
   
   
2. Nationwide EAS Test Reporting System. FCC rules require all participants in the Nationwide EAS Test to submit certain test result data to the FCC no later than Tuesday, December 27, 2011. Although you may file this information in paper form, the FCC has launched an online system intended to simplify the process of reporting your test results, together with instructions for completing the online reporting system. 

The Nationwide EAS Test Handbook and Reporting System can be found on the FCC’s EAS Nationwide Test webpage, as well as NAB’s Nationwide EAS Test website.
Please make sure to consult the FCC’s Public Notice announcing the Handbook and Reporting System for further information.

All stations should air Public Service Announcements (PSAs) designed to increase public awareness of the Nationwide EAS Test. NAB is producing a series of spots that will be available later this week on NAB’s Nationwide EAS Test website, which already features a variety of additional radio and television PSAs, as well as sample scripts stations may use to tailor and produce their own PSA. All stations should download and air one or more of these PSAs, starting immediately and with increasing frequency as November 9 approaches.

Additional information is available on our website, including a Nationwide EAS Test visual slide that television stations should insert during the test to help persons with hearing disabilities and other viewers fully comprehend that the November 9 event is merely a test. Stations will also find an EAS Best Practices Guide and EAS Toolkit produced by FEMA, tips for getting ready for the test, and other useful guidance. Please bookmark NAB’s website and visit it regularly for additional information that may be released before the test on November 9. 

Broadcasters are the backbone of the Emergency Alert System. We are a critical lifeline for many Americans during times of disaster, and given our indispensable role as first informers during emergencies, it is imperative that we work with our federal partners to regularly test the EAS system.

Please visit NAB’s Nationwide EAS Test website to learn more. NAB’s Legal and Regulatory Department also stands ready to help: (866) 682-0276 or (202) 429-5430.