Nationwide EAS Test Set for Wednesday
Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. CST, no matter where you are in the United States you will hear an alarm sound on TV or radio. Wednesday’s test will be the first nationwide activation of the Emergency Alert System. The system is designed to check readiness, communication and response between emergency agencies. EAS is a public alert and warning system that enabled the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. “They’ve already done two (tests) up in Alaska. They did a pilot test up there and found some things that they needed to improve on. Then they did one in Arizona and they’ve done a few others. so, this is the first national test that they’ve done and its the first time that they’ve tested all of them at the same time, said Marty Clements, director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency. “This whole system was set up so that we could get a national alert out in case of any kind of terrorist attack or attack from a foreign country. They’ve developed it to where also for a big national earthquake or some other kind of event, they can get the word out, nationwide to let people know exactly what’s going on.” Officials said this event, which WBBJ-TV 7 will take part, serves as a reminder that everyone should have an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities and businesses. Again, the nationwide test will take place at 1 p.m., Wednesday.
