WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide Emergency Alert System test November 17 at 2:20 p.m. Eastern. December 3 is the backup date.
Nearly all licensed radio and television stations must participate. The first deadline arrives well before the test: participants must complete Form One in the Emergency Alert System Test Reporting System by October 30.
The complete filing calendar
- October 30: Form One is due.
- November 17 at 2:20 p.m. Eastern: nationwide test.
- Within 48 hours: Form Two is due.
- Within 45 days: Form Three is due.
This will be the first nationwide Emergency Alert System test since 2023.
Stations should begin technical checks now
Broadcasters should verify monitoring assignments, equipment firmware, synchronized clocks, operating handbooks and reporting-system credentials. Stations also should confirm that staff members know who is responsible for receiving, relaying and documenting the alert.
A successful test involves more than hearing tones. Engineers and managers should verify the originator code, event code, locations, timing, audio quality and whether the alert reached every required transmission path.
Facilities with multiple stations, translators, satellite channels or remote operations should document how each signal is monitored and how failures will be reported.
Radio News Now question
Emergency-alert readiness should be treated as a continuing public-service responsibility—not a paperwork exercise performed on test day. Can every station still originate and relay critical information if its normal internet, studio or staffing arrangement fails?
Source: Radio World’s filing requirements and preparation checklist.