This is only a test: 1st national test of Emergency Alert System to be held Wednesday

Wednesday, the entire country will test the Emergency Alert System.

You know the phrase, "this is a test of the Emergency Alert System." The emergency broadcast system has been around since 1963.

But Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, says this is the first time it’s been tested nationwide. "And it’s an opportunity to check and make sure our systems are working if we have a national emergency."

The test is set for Wednesday at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. But he says anyone with hearing or vision problems might not know that. "Because of the system design, not all of you will see the crawl that says 'This is a test.'" FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission are working on a new alert system that’s “more relevant.”

FEMA boss Fugate says the test is for more than just broadcasters. "If you don’t have a plan," he says, "this is a good reminder: go to Ready.gov and get your disaster plan now."

KPCC will participate, so don’t be alarmed if Larry Mantle is pre-empted for 30 seconds by those familiar emergency alert buzzers.