Nationwide EAS Test Scheduled For Wednesday At 1pm

EAS Test is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:00 pm Central Time

Oskaloosa, Iowa – In an unprecedented move, FEMA in conjunction with NOAA will conduct the first nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test on November 9, at 2:00 pm Eastern or 1:00 pm Central Time.

Jamey Robinson, Mahaska County Emergency Manager, helped explain why the test is important and how it will impact residents.

Robinson wants everyone to know that this is just “A Test” and when you see alerts on Wednesday, it may not say it’s a “test” on the screen. He reminds residents that anytime the EAS is utilized “there would be important information that would follow an actual emergency”.

Robinson recently attended the Governors Homeland Security Conference this week in West Des Moines and this was one of the things that was discussed. During the discussion of the planned test it was brought to the attention that not everyone would be aware of the test, and “This is one of the main reasons that they are doing the federal level tests”, Robinson says.

So, for all of us familiar with the annoying tone and the static image similar to the one used for this story that each station does to fulfill their FCC license, this alert “will be activated from the federal level which means the local carriers will not activate their alert code”, Robinson explained. “FEMA has said that this test is not a pass or fail test. It is to test the readiness and effectiveness of the EAS as it currently exists today and this is just the first step towards doing what is needed to enhance the system.”

“In the event of a large national disaster this would be the first key to a very large puzzle to get the public informed of what is going on”, said Robinson who also conducts monthly tests of the local Nixle system that alerts those who have signed up for the free service that helps alert residents to danger. His tests are conducted near the end of the month, and if you’re already signed up and not getting those texts, it would be a good time to check your information and make sure it’s still valid.

To sign up for Nixle you can simply text MCEMA to 888777 or visit http://www.mahaskaready.com/Nixle.html.

If you would like more information on the EAS, you can visit http://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/services/eas/ or visit the Mahaska County Emergency Management website http://www.mahaskaready.com/