You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 12:35 p.m.

Nationwide Emergency Alert System test Wednesday: What it means for you

By Cindy Heflin

A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will interrupt programming on television and radio stations at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The test, originally planned for three minutes, will now last only 30 seconds, but broadcasts will be interrupted for about a minute, including pre- and post-announcements, said Marc Breckenridge, emergency services director for the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will conduct the test.

Marc_Breckenridge.jpg

The Washtenaw County Emergency Operations Center in Ann Arbor.

The message will be carried over all broadcast and cable stations, Breckenridge said, and those who subscribe to text messaging alert systems for weather or news may also receive messages.

Although tests are conducted monthly on state and local levels, the federal government has actually never tested the nationwide Emergency Alert System, which replaced the older Emergency Broadcast System, Breckenridge said. It’s something local emergency responders have been complaining about for years, he said. “We have been saying, ‘Guys you’ve got to get your act together.”

It was particularly disappointing, Breckenridge said, that the Emergency Alert System was not activated during the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. “I was very surprised on 9/ll that the system we had invested so much blood, sweat and tears in nationwide wasn’t used,” he said.

That experience has led local officials to decide that they won’t wait for federal government activation if there is a 9/11-level event in the future. Should such an event occur, local officials would activate their own system, including sounding outdoor warning sirens, a signal that residents should tune into local broadcast outlets for instructions and information. “We’re going to make sure that our community knows that they should tune into local media,” Breckenridge said.

On Wednesday, local officials’ job will be to receive the signal in the Emergency Operations Center and over text messaging systems during the test. Outdoor sirens will not sound. If all intended recipients actually get the message, the test will be a success.

While some may view the test as inconvenient, it’s sorely needed, he said.

“We think that this is really important. … We hope that that is will help to improve the communication of important information to the public when it’s really important for them to receive it.”

Comments

bigdrummer

Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.

I would recommend checking out the site for some more information about what the next steps are. You can also submit your experience with the response I believe. <a href="http://blog.fema.gov/2011/11/emergency-alert-system-has-been-tested.html" rel='nofollow'>http://blog.fema.gov/2011/11/emergency-alert-system-has-been-tested.html</a>

Bob Bethune

Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.

I think the system failed, at least as far as Comcast is concerned. There are several reports, including mine, from people who watched for it and saw nothing. Followup reporting, anyone?

lumberg48108

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.

&quot;It was particularly disappointing, Breckenridge said, that the Emergency Alert System was not activated during the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. "I was very surprised on 9/ll that the system we had invested so much blood, sweat and tears in nationwide wasn't used," he said.&quot; When during the 45 minutes or so we were under attack would have the EAS system been usefull? People were glued to their TVs or radios on Internet during this event - how would the EAS stay current when things were moving so fast? Like most, I saw things develop in real time ... how could the EAS possibly keep up with news organizations trained to report events like this? I understand the role of the EAS but in actuality, but I guess my point is - I dont think 9/11 was the right time for the EAS to be activated. and since it was not - others did too.

bunnyabbot

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 10:04 p.m.

Wonder if the big internet outage yesterday was just a coincidence, or just another &quot;test&quot;.

lumberg48108

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.

&quot;The test, originally planned for three minutes, will now last only 30 seconds.&quot; Many conspiracy theorists (and even some smart people) questioned by the test was set for 3 minutes ... and now its only 30 seconds? Think about that - why three minutes would be needed for any test of this kind is kind of baffling and leads to more questions And this president is the first to ever do it ... a democrat ... interesting heh? Read more here <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/conspiracy/comments/m08kn/something_is_bothering_me_about_the_nationwide/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.reddit.com/r/conspiracy/comments/m08kn/something_is_bothering_me_about_the_nationwide/</a>

Ron Granger

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.

Thanks for pointing it out, It was so obvious. 3 minutes, and now 30 seconds: They each have a 3, so that's two threes. Two threes is 6. And 3 6's is 666. This test is the mark of the beast!

redwingshero

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.

Nothing good on tv until at least 8pm anyways.

Macabre Sunset

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.

I don't think I've ever heard a real announcement on an emergency broadcast system. Just a lot of tests with really loud annoying sounds. I've been conditioned to change the channel or turn off the television or radio whenever I hear those noises. Oh, well, it's not like the television is ever on at 2:00.

jns131

Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.

Satellite is next. Which is what we have. Then the internet. Especially if our phones lines go down. Will be real harry if we have an attack. As for these announcements? I too change the channel.

Jay79

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.

The cable will be the first thing to fail anyway.