The U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Nov. 9 at 11am.

The audio of the test will last 30 seconds. This will result in a total test time of approximately 45 to 60 seconds (including the data burst tones).

The public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for radio, television, and cable.

The national-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the president of the United States to address the public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wire line providers across all states and territories. Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS participants, and others in the EAS community have been working toward making this test a reality.