Cable Providers Urge Residents to Spread the Word about First-Ever National Test

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 3, 2011

For more information, contact Rose Tantraphol at 517.485.6600

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association (MCTA) urges residents to spread the word about the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) taking place Nov. 9 around 2 p.m. Eastern time. The test, which will last more than three minutes, will be conducted on all television, radio, cable, and satellite systems throughout the United States.

The EAS — established in 1994 following the precursor Emergency Broadcast System that began in 1963 — is a media communications-based alerting system that transmits emergency alerts and warnings to the American public at the national, state and local levels. EAS participants broadcast thousands of alerts and warnings to the American public each year regarding weather threats, child abductions, and many other types of emergencies. The Nov. 9 test are scheduled to run for a short duration of about 30 seconds and will be carried across all channels.

“It’s important that Michigan citizens are aware of the test and the rationale for conducting it nationwide and across the spectrum of delivery systems,” said Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association Executive Director Colleen McNamara. “Residents can help ensure no one becomes alarmed or overly concerned with the longer EAS message by spreading the word among friends and family about the Nov. 9 test.”

This test is being conducted by the Federal Communications Commission, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to examine the reliability and effectiveness of the federal warning system.

Learn more about about the EAS.

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