On November 9, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. (EST), the Federal Government will be conducting the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last up to 3.5 minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable and satellite programming will be interrupted as the system is being tested. This event will be just a test and not a real emergency alert. Please be aware if you are flying on a LiveTV equipped aircraft.

The National Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the President of the United States, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. The National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. 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.

For additional information about this test please visit:
FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=55722
FCC: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test