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1st Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test To Take Place Nov. 9

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. Pacific time.

The test will be seen and heard on every TV and radio station across the country at the same time. Viewers will not be able to ignore the test by changing the channel.

The EAS test will last approximately three minutes.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are conducting the test to determine the reliability of the Emergency Alert System.

The EAS is the nation's first line of information for citizens during times of crisis.

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