Editing Emergency Alert System (section)

==System tests==
{{Listen|filename=NOAA Weather Radio MKE-KEC60 Weekly or monthly Test. ogg|title=NOAA Weather Radio MKE-KEC60 Weekly Test||description=The weekly Emergency Alert System test, usually initiated at 12 noon local time every Wednesday afternoon, as heard on [[KEC60]] in [[Milwaukee]] on November 24, 2010.}}
All EAS equipment must be tested on a weekly basis. The required weekly test (RWT) consists, at a minimum, of the header and end-of-message tones. Though an RWT does not need an audio or graphic message announcing the test, many stations provide them as a courtesy to the public. In addition, television stations are not required to transmit a video message for weekly tests. RWTs are scheduled by the station on random days and times, though quite often during late night or early afternoon hours, and are generally not relayed.<ref name="cfr47" />

[[File:Required Monthly Test of Emergency Alert System in New Jersey.jpg|thumb|A Required Monthly Test (RMT) transmitted in New Jersey on April 15, 2014, as shown on a television set]]
Required monthly tests (RMTs) are generally originated by the local or state primary station, a state emergency management agency, or by the National Weather Service and are then relayed by broadcast stations and cable channels. RMTs must be performed between 8:30&nbsp;a.m. and local sunset during odd numbered months, and between local sunset and 8:30&nbsp;a.m. during even-numbered months. Received monthly tests must be retransmitted within 60 minutes of receipt.<ref name="cfr47" /><ref>{{cite web|title=State EAS Plans and Chairs|url=http://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/services/eas/chairs.html|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=April 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416192121/http://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/services/eas/chairs.html|archive-date=April 16, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, an RMT should not be scheduled or conducted during an event of great importance such as a pre-announced presidential speech, coverage of a national/local election, major local or national news coverage outside regularly scheduled newscast hours or a major national sporting event such as the [[Super Bowl]] or [[World Series]], with other events such as the [[Indianapolis 500]] and [[Olympic Games]] mentioned in individual EAS state plans.

An RWT is not required during a calendar week in which an RMT is scheduled. No testing has to be done during a calendar week in which all parts of the EAS (header burst, attention signal, audio message, and end of message burst) have been legitimately activated.

In July 2018, in response to the aftermath of the [[2018 Hawaii false missile alert|false missile alert in Hawaii]] earlier in the year (which was caused by operator error during an internal drill protocol), the FCC announced that it would take steps to promote public awareness and improve efficiency of the system, including requiring safeguards to prevent distribution of false alarms, the ability to authorize "live code" tests—which would simulate the process and response to an actual emergency, and authorizations to use the EAS tones in public service announcements that promote awareness of the system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/12/17565810/fcc-emergency-alert-system-test-psa|title=The FCC is changing up the country's emergency alert system to prevent another Hawaii incident|work=The Verge|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713171345/https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/12/17565810/fcc-emergency-alert-system-test-psa|archive-date=July 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-352524A1.pdf|title=FCC PROMOTES EMERGENCY ALERT RELIABILITY|date=July 12, 2018|publisher=FCC|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906173334/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-352524A1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Nationwide tests===
{{Listen|filename=National EAS Test.ogg|title=National EAS Test||description=Audio recording of the first national EAS test on November 9, 2011, as heard on [[WISN-TV]] in [[Milwaukee]] and the cable EAS of [[Charter Communications]]' Wisconsin [[cable television headend|headend]].}}
{{Listen|filename=National Periodic Test.ogg|title=Seventh National EAS Test||description=An audio recording of the seventh National Periodic EAS test that occurred on October 4, 2023, heard on [[KEYC-TV]] in [[Mankato, Minnesota]].}}
On February 3, 2011, the FCC announced plans and procedures for national EAS tests, which involve all television and radio stations connected to the EAS, as well as all cable and satellite services in the United States. They are not relayed on the [[NOAA Weather Radio]] (NOAA/NWS) network as it is an initiation-only network and does not receive messages from the PEP network.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0203/DOC-304451A1.pdf | title=FCC Press Release: "FCC Action Paves Way for First-Ever Presidential Alert to be Aired Across U.S. on Nation's Emergency Alert System" | date=February 3, 2011 | website=fcc.gov | publisher=FCC | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304021444/http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0203/DOC-304451A1.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0203/FCC-11-12A1.pdf | title=FCC Third Report and Order: In the Matter of Review of the Emergency Alert System | date=February 3, 2011 | website=fcc.gov | publisher=FCC | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 10, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210092109/http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0203/FCC-11-12A1.pdf}}</ref> The national test would transmit and relay an [[Emergency Action Notification]] on November 9, 2011 at 2:00&nbsp;p.m. EST.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=55722 |title=FEMA, FCC Announce Nationwide Test Of The Emergency Alert System |publisher=FEMA |date=June 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614192303/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=55722 |archive-date=June 14, 2011  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Clayton | first=Mark | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1109/Emergency-Alert-System-Why-US-is-doing-first-national-test-now | title=Emergency Alert System: Why US is doing first national test now | work=Christian Science Monitor | date=November 9, 2011 | access-date=December 15, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214082316/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1109/Emergency-Alert-System-Why-US-is-doing-first-national-test-now | archive-date=December 14, 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Federal Communications Commission]] found that only half of the participants received the message via [[Integrated Public Alert and Warning System]], and some "failed to receive or retransmit alerts due to erroneous equipment configuration, equipment readiness and upkeep issues, and confusion regarding EAS rules and technical requirements", and that participation among low-power broadcasters was low. Many reported visuals or audio missing, and in the case of [[DirecTV]], hearing [[Lady Gaga]] music instead.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-09 |title=Did the national Emergency Alert System mistakenly play Lady Gaga? |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1109/Did-the-national-Emergency-Alert-System-mistakenly-play-Lady-Gaga |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031033121/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1109/Did-the-national-Emergency-Alert-System-mistakenly-play-Lady-Gaga |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-31 |work=Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Noreen |date=2011-11-09 |title=Why Is the Emergency Broadcast System Playing Lady Gaga? |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2011/11/emergency-broadast-system-now-plays-gaga.html |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Intelligencer |language=en}}</ref> To reduce viewer confusion, the FCC stated that future national tests would be delivered under the new event code "National Periodic Test" ("NPT"), and list "United States" as its location.<ref name="fcc-16results">{{Cite news|url=https://www.fcc.gov/document/september-28-2016-nationwide-eas-test|title=September 28, 2016 Nationwide EAS Test|date=April 21, 2017|work=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=June 27, 2017|language=en|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608221159/https://www.fcc.gov/document/september-28-2016-nationwide-eas-test|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtech.com/em/emergency-blogs/alerts/the-2016-national-eas-test-will-be-different.html|title=The 2016 National EAS Test Will Be Different|website=Govtech|language=en|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718211938/http://www.govtech.com/em/emergency-blogs/alerts/the-2016-national-eas-test-will-be-different.html|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

A second national test, the first classified as an NPT, occurred on September 28, 2016 as part of [[National Preparedness Month]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2016/09/26/nationwide-emergency-alert-system-test-planned-september-28|title=Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 27 - FEMA.gov|website=www.fema.gov|access-date=September 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001210409/https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2016/09/26/nationwide-emergency-alert-system-test-planned-september-28|archive-date=October 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fcc.gov/document/nationwide-emergency-alert-system-test-planned-september-28 | title=Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 28 | work=Federal Communications Commission | date=September 26, 2016 | access-date=September 27, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930063652/https://www.fcc.gov/document/nationwide-emergency-alert-system-test-planned-september-28 | archive-date=September 30, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> A third national periodic test occurred on September 27, 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10714429000802/FEMA%202017%20National%20Test%20LOI.pdf | title=Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 27 | work=Federal Communications Commission | date=July 14, 2016 | access-date=July 17, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916225958/https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10714429000802/FEMA%202017%20National%20Test%20LOI.pdf | archive-date=September 16, 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The fourth NPT occurred on October 3, 2018 (delayed from September 20, 2018, due to [[Hurricane Florence]]). It was preceded by the first mandatory wireless emergency alert test.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbr.com/mark-your-calendars-next-eas-test-date-affirmed/|title=Mark Your Calendars: Next EAS Test Date Affirmed|website=Radio & Television Business Report|date=July 23, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725111941/https://www.rbr.com/mark-your-calendars-next-eas-test-date-affirmed/|archive-date=July 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/15/politics/fema-presidential-alert-trump-emergency-test/index.html|title='Presidential Alert': Trump text slides to October 3|last=Stracqualursi|first=Veronica|work=CNN|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918012822/https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/15/politics/fema-presidential-alert-trump-emergency-test/index.html|archive-date=September 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/technology/article/Emergency-alert-test-going-out-to-mobile-phones-13277858.php|title=Emergency alert test sounds off on mobile phones nationwide|language=en-US|access-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003213542/https://www.sfgate.com/business/technology/article/Emergency-alert-test-going-out-to-mobile-phones-13277858.php|archive-date=October 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The fifth NPT occurred on August 7, 2019, and moved up from past years to prevent it from occurring during the heart of the [[Atlantic hurricane season]]. The test focused exclusively on distribution to broadcast outlets and television providers via the primary entry point network to gauge the efficiency of alert distribution in the event the internet cannot be used.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/next-nationwide-emergency-test-set-for-august-2019|title=Next Nationwide Emergency Test Set for August 2019|last=Ashworth|first=Susan|website=TV TTechnology|date=May 29, 2019|language=en-us|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729071729/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/next-nationwide-emergency-test-set-for-august-2019|archive-date=July 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/fema-sets-august-for-national-eas-test-with-focus-on/article_79add90c-7df3-11e9-b1e7-17230fc554b3.html|title=FEMA Sets August For 2019 National EAS Test With Focus On PEP Stations.|website=Insideradio.com|date=May 24, 2019 |language=en|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729071734/http://www.insideradio.com/free/fema-sets-august-for-national-eas-test-with-focus-on/article_79add90c-7df3-11e9-b1e7-17230fc554b3.html|archive-date=July 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The sixth NPT was postponed to 2021 amid the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]] "out of consideration for the unusual circumstances and working conditions for those in the broadcast and cable industry."<ref>{{cite web|title=No National Test this Year for FEMA's Integrated Public Alert & Warning System|url=https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/06/19/no-national-test-year-femas-integrated-public-alert-warning-system|access-date=July 26, 2020|publisher=FEMA|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726053823/https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/06/19/no-national-test-year-femas-integrated-public-alert-warning-system|url-status=live}}</ref>
The sixth test occurred on August 11, 2021, at 2:20 pm EDT.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210611/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-aug-11-test-messages-will |title=FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Aug. 11 Test Messages Will be Sent to TVs and Radios Along with Select Cell Phones That Have Opted-in to Receive Test Messages |publisher=FEMA.gov |date=2021-06-11 |accessdate=2022-08-06 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728202820/https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210611/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-aug-11-test-messages-will |url-status=live }}</ref> This test involved the WEA system alongside television and radio.

As of 2022, as part of a clarification and streamlining of terminology used in messages, further NPTs will now be referred to in the test message as a "Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System" issued by the [[Federal government of the United States|United States Government]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-10-02 |title=FCC updates new Emergency Alert System rules to improve more message clarification |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/243376/fcc-report-10-2-new-eas-rules-to-improve-message-clarity-adopted/ |accessdate=2022-10-11 |publisher=Radioinsight.com |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011163945/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/243376/fcc-report-10-2-new-eas-rules-to-improve-message-clarity-adopted/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 3, 2022, it was announced that the seventh NPT would not take place during 2022, and instead occur in early 2023.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/fema-says-no-national-eas-test-is-planned-for-this-year/article_83a4da68-c9d2-11ec-93a3-2fc171af7a4c.html | title=FEMA Says No National EAS Test is Planned for This Year | newspaper=Insideradio.com | access-date=May 3, 2022 | archive-date=May 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502162149/https://www.insideradio.com/free/fema-says-no-national-eas-test-is-planned-for-this-year/article_83a4da68-c9d2-11ec-93a3-2fc171af7a4c.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 3, 2023, FEMA and the FCC announced that the seventh NPT would occur October 4, 2023 with a backup date of October 11, 2023. The test commenced just before 2:20 pm ET, and consisted of an alert on TV/radio as well as a WEA on all cell phones.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-08-03 |title=FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4, 2023 |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230803/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-2023 |accessdate=2023-08-06 |publisher=fema.gov |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807040353/https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230803/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>