FCC Announces Updates to the November 9, 2011 Nationwide EAS Test

On August 23, 2011, the FCC released a Public Notice addressing operational procedures for the Nationwide EAS Test, which, among other things, stated that the test would last for "approximately three minutes." On October 26, 2011, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the availability of a Nationwide EAS Test Handbook (_Handbook_) providing EAS Participants with operational instructions for the test and which also stated that the test would last for "approximately three minutes."

After a careful review of the technical elements of the test, FEMA and the FCC have concluded that a thirty-second test will allow the agencies to effectively assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a way to alert the public of national emergencies with limited disruption to the public. This public notice supersedes any prior Public Notice, and announces that a revised _Handbook_reflecting the new thirty second test length has been posted at [www.fcc.gov/nationwideeastest][1].

[1]: http://www.fcc.gov/nationwideeastest

URL: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1857A1.doc