Nationwide Test of the Emergency Broadcast System 271
First time accepted submitter PattonPending writes "Mark your calendars! On November 9th national communications will be disrupted for around 3 minutes during the first nationwide test of the emergency broadcast system. From the article: 'On November 9, at 2 PM EST, FEMA will transmit the EAS code for national level emergencies to Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations in the national level of the EAS. The PEP stations will then rebroadcast the alert to the general public in their broadcast vicinity, as well as to the next level of EAS Participants monitoring them. This should continue through all levels of the system, until the national alert has been distributed throughout the entire country.'"
effectiveness in 2011 (Score:5, Insightful)
I have to wonder whether this system has lost its effectiveness today. In the 1960s, the combination of radio and television would reach a pretty big percentage of the population; during the day someone in any given house or office was probably watching TV or listening to the radio. But with more people listening to music on iPods and watching video on DVD/DVR - to say nothing of streaming services over IP - that's a lot more gaps in the system.
Re:I wonder: (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes and no. FTFA:
The November 9 date is near the end of hurricane season and before the severe winter weather season begins in earnest. The 2 PM EST broadcast time will minimize disruption during rush hours, while ensuring that the test occurs during working hours across the United States.
What nation? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:First time, eh? (Score:4, Insightful)
Indulge me for a moment. Is there any way they could do a test of this system which would not cause you to make that empty, cynical remark?
7 Days in May? (Score:2, Insightful)
Activating this at 2:00PM is a show of power. At test could be conducted at 3:00 AM where it wouldn't have the fear impact.