FEMA will be conducting a TEST of the primary entry point system for the Emergency Alert System. The Emergency Alert System is the successor to the Emergency Broadcast System, and is frequently used for tornado warnings, hurricane warnings, flash floods warnings and so forth. It is also designed, but never in history used, for Presidential messages to the nation. The FCC Compliance Bureau has suspended all other testing of the Emergency Alert System for 30 days. However, some automated broadcast stations may send a test message without operator intervention. If the EAS is activated in your area listen carefully if it is a test or a real activation. The EAS has been accidently activated in the past, so if it is activated, avoid undue panic and listen carefully. Severe weather alerts using the EAS are continuing. Most broadcast AM/FM, television and cable systems participate in the Emergency Alert System. However, participation is voluntary. Individual stations may or may not be participate. Non-participating stations will go off the air during a national EAS activation. Once again, this is a TEST. This is only a TEST.

GREETINGS:

THE PRIMARY ENTRY POINT SYSTEM WILL BE TESTED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THE TESTS WILL BE CLOSED CIRCUIT AT BEST. THERE MAY BE SOME AUDIO PASSED AS PART OF THE TEST. IN ONE CONFIGURATION THE PEP CONFERENCE IS INVOKED, BUT ENDECS ARE NOT ADDRESSED OR POLLED.

DAVE PIPER AND I HAVE GONE OVER THE TEST PLAN TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS WITHIN THE PEP SPECIFICATIONS. REST ASSURED THAT THE PEP SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ACTIVATED WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL.

I WILL TRY TO MAKE THE RESULTS OF THE TEST AVAILABLE VIA THIS SITE, TIME AND WORKLOAD PERMITTING.

I HAVE HAD A LOT OF E-MAILS ON THE TESTING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND INPUT. CIRCUMSTANCES ARE SUCH THAT THE TESTING MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED AT THIS TIME.

PUTPRUSH SENDS

TIMOTHY L. PUTPRUSH, FEMA PEP PROJECT MANAGER