First nationwide emergency alert system test Wednesday

For roughly three minutes Wednesday afternoon, suburban residents are going to hear a series of beeps and blaring sounds coming from their televisions and radios.

Don’t bother switching the channel. And, most importantly, don’t panic.

This is just a drill.

It’s the first nationwide test of the federal Emergency Alert System and it will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, on all broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services, and wireline video service providers.

The test is conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission. The warning system is to enable the U.S. president to address the public during emergencies.

The public is not required to do anything during the test, said Mike Kozak, executive coordinator of the Des Plaines Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency.

“They want to see if the thing works across the whole country,” Kozak said.

The idea is that if a disaster such as the Japanese tsunami is headed this way, people can be warned and everybody hears the message at the same time, he added.

“The whole purpose is being prepared … letting them get information that could possibly save lives, property,” Kozak said.

State and local emergency management agencies already use the system to alert residents about local emergencies and extreme weather events. The system is tested at the local level weekly and monthly, yet there has never been a nationwide test, authorities said.

Authorities chose Nov. 9 because it marks the end of the hurricane season and is before the severe winter weather season begins. During the test, the public will hear the audio message, “this is a test.” No sirens and no mobile communications devices are involved in the test.

“Tests like these also serve as good reminders for families to assemble or check their Emergency Supply Kit,” said Dan Palmer, Hanover Township director of emergency services. “Each person should have basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days, if an emergency occurs.”

For more information, visit fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-eas. For information on creating an emergency supply kit or family emergency plan, visit ready.gov.