FEMA and FCC schedule nationwide Emergency Alert System test

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have scheduled a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for November 17 at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET. If the agencies are unable to conduct the test on that date, it will be rescheduled for December 3 at the same time.

This marks the first nationwide EAS test since October 2023. The test will be distributed in both English and Spanish via broadcast radio, broadcast TV, regional and satellite TV systems, SiriusXM radio, and mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. The alert will identify itself as a nationwide FEMA test and state that no action is required from the public.

EAS participants, including various radio and television stations, are required to register and file reports through the FCC’s EAS Test Reporting System. The FCC is advising participants to review operating procedures, update equipment software and firmware, and ensure equipment clocks are synchronized with official time sources ahead of the event.