Nevada Broadcasters Association to Conduct State-Wide “mini-National EAS Test” on Monday, September 26, 2011 

Media Inquiries:

Adrienne Abbott

nevadaeas@charter.net

The Nevada Broadcasters Association, in coordination with the Nevada Division of Emergency Management and local emergency managers, has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to conduct a special, statewide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) next Monday, Sept. 26 at 1:00 PM Pacific. The test will help Nevada broadcasters and cable operators prepare for the upcoming National EAS Test on Nov. 9, 2011.

The special statewide test will originate from FEMA Primary Entry Point stations, KKOH in Reno and KDWN in Las Vegas. From there it will propagate to the radio and TV stations in the Nevada EAS Operational Area, including stations in eastern California and northern Arizona. This special test will use the familiar Required Monthly Test (RMT) message code and contain the elements that are familiar to Nevada audiences, the normal digital tones, the dual tone and a brief message. TV viewers will also see a test message scroll on local and cable television. This will be the first time such a test has been conducted in the continental US. Similar tests have been conducted in Alaska, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

“Through our partnership with FEMA, this mini-version of the National EAS Test will also help inform and prepare our communities for the Nov. 9th Test,” said Adrienne Abbott, Nevada State Emergency Communications Committee Chair. “The EAS is one of the alert and warning tools that functions well for Nevada because we have a close relationship with our State and local emergency managers."”

To help educate audiences, Nevada radio and TV stations are now carrying Public Service Announcements about the special statewide test and the National EAS Test.  

“This event coincides with National Preparedness Month,” according to Washoe County Emergency Manager Aaron Kenneston. “As Nevada prepares for and tests our alert and warning capabilities, this event serves as a reminder for our families, businesses and communities to have emergency preparedness kits, emergency plans and portable radios.”

The EAS provides a critical public service to the nation as the resilient backbone of alert and warning capabilities when other means of communication are unavailable. It's available 24/7 to state and local emergency officials at no cost to the community.

“We want to thank the Nevada Broadcasters Association, Nevada EAS Participants, and the State of Nevada, for their excellent support in our National EAS Test preparation efforts,” said Manny Centeno, FEMA IPAWS Program Manager and National EAS Test Lead. “This RMT provides us with the opportunity to pre-test our message procedures at FEMA, in addition to exercising the State-level capabilities that will help us learn more about the system before the national test.”

Members of the media are invited to view the testing process at both KKOH and KDWN. Information on both locations follows this news release.

For more information on the Nevada and Nationwide EAS Tests, visit the Nevada Broadcasters Association website: the State of Nevada website:the FEMA IPAWS website:  and the FCC website.