Emergency Alert System TEST - This is only a TEST

[Sean Donelan <sean () donelan com>]

FEMA will be conducting a TEST of the primary entry point system
for the Emergency Alert System.  The Emergency Alert System is
the successor to the Emergency Broadcast System, and is frequently
used for tornado warnings, hurricane warnings, flash floods warnings
and so forth.  It is also designed, but never in history used, for
Presidential messages to the nation.

The FCC Compliance Bureau has suspended all other testing of the
Emergency Alert System for 30 days.  However, some automated broadcast
stations may send a test message without operator intervention.

If the EAS is activated in your area listen carefully if it is a
test or a real activation.  The EAS has been accidently activated
in the past, so if it is activated, avoid undue panic and listen
carefully.  Severe weather alerts using the EAS are continuing.

Most broadcast AM/FM, television and cable systems participate in
the Emergency Alert System.  However, participation is voluntary.
Individual stations may or may not be participate.  Non-participating
stations will go off the air during a national EAS activation.

Once again, this is a TEST.  This is only a TEST.

> GREETINGS:
>
> THE PRIMARY ENTRY POINT SYSTEM WILL BE TESTED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.  THE
> TESTS WILL BE CLOSED CIRCUIT AT BEST.  THERE MAY BE SOME AUDIO PASSED AS
> PART OF THE TEST.  IN ONE CONFIGURATION THE PEP CONFERENCE IS INVOKED, BUT
> ENDECS ARE NOT ADDRESSED OR POLLED.
>
> DAVE PIPER AND I HAVE GONE OVER THE TEST PLAN TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS WITHIN
> THE PEP SPECIFICATIONS.  REST ASSURED THAT THE PEP SYSTEM WILL NOT BE
> ACTIVATED WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL.
>
> I WILL TRY TO MAKE THE RESULTS OF THE TEST AVAILABLE VIA THIS SITE, TIME AND
> WORKLOAD PERMITTING.
>
> I HAVE HAD A LOT OF E-MAILS ON THE TESTING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND
> INPUT.  CIRCUMSTANCES ARE SUCH THAT THE TESTING MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED AT THIS
> TIME.
>
> PUTPRUSH SENDS
>
> TIMOTHY L. PUTPRUSH,  FEMA PEP PROJECT MANAGER