View source for Emergency Alert System

{{short description|Method of emergency broadcasting in the United States}}{{See also|EAS (disambiguation)}}{{Distinguish|Wireless Emergency Alerts|Emergency Warning Broadcast system|Emergency Warning System|Emergency Broadcast System|UK Emergency Alert System}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox broadcasting network|name=Emergency Alert System|network_type=[[Emergency population warning|Emergency warning system]]|country=United States|broadcast_area=Varies; nationwide for national activation, limited to 31 locations at a time for regional activation, including [[County (United States)|counties]], [[List of parishes in Louisiana|parishes]], [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|boroughs]] (and any other [[County equivalents|equivalents]]), entire [[U.S. state|states]], [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Territories of the United States|territories]]|launched={{start date and age|January 1, 1997}}|logo=EAS new.svg|logo_size=190px|replaced=[[Emergency Broadcast System]]|tvstations=All broadcast television stations and cable systems|radiostations=77 designated Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations. All commercial radio stations}}

The '''Emergency Alert System''' ('''EAS''') is a [[Emergency population warning|national warning system]] in the United States designed to allow authorized officials to broadcast emergency alerts and warning messages to the public via [[Cable television|cable]], [[Satellite television|satellite]] and [[Terrestrial television|broadcast]] television and [[AM broadcasting|AM]], [[FM broadcasting|FM]] and [[Satellite radio|satellite]] radio. Informally, ''Emergency Alert System'' is sometimes conflated with its mobile phone counterpart [[Wireless Emergency Alerts]] (WEA), a different but related system. However, both the EAS and WEA, among other systems, are coordinated under the [[Integrated Public Alert and Warning System]] (IPAWS). 

The EAS, and more broadly IPAWS, allows federal, state, and local authorities to efficiently broadcast emergency alert and warning messages across multiple channels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system |title=Integrated Public Alert & Warning System |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=September 18, 2018 |website=fema.gov |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency |access-date=22 September 2018 |quote=IPAWS provides public safety officials with an effective way to alert and warn the public about serious emergencies using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems from a single interface. |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922211804/https://www.fema.gov/integrated-public-alert-warning-system |url-status=live }}</ref> The EAS became operational on January 1, 1997, after being approved by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) in November 1994,<ref>{{cite web |title=What is Conelrad? EBS? EAS? |url=http://www.oldradio.com/current/bc_conel.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405012433/http://www.oldradio.com/current/bc_conel.htm |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> replacing the [[Emergency Broadcast System]] (EBS), and largely supplanted the similar [[Emergency override system|Emergency Override System]] (also known as "Local Access Alert" systems), though the latter is still used from time to time. Its main improvement over the EBS, and perhaps its most distinctive feature, is its application of a [[Audio frequency-shift keying|digitally encoded audio signal]] known as [[Emergency Alert System#Technical concept|Specific Area Message Encoding]] (SAME), which is responsible for the “screeching” or “beeping” sounds at the start and end of each message. The first signal is the "header" which encodes, among other information, the alert type and locations, or the ''specific area'' that should receive the message. The last short burst marks the end-of-message. These signals are read by specialized encoder-decoder equipment. This design allows for automated station-to-station relay of alerts to only the area the alert was intended for.

Like the Emergency Broadcast System, the system is primarily designed to allow the [[president of the United States]] to address the country via all radio and television stations in the event of a national emergency. Despite this, neither the system nor its predecessors have been used in this manner. The [[24-hour news cycle|ubiquity of news coverage]] in these situations, such as during the [[September 11 attacks]], has been credited to making usage of the system unnecessary or redundant.<ref name="Collins" /> In practice, it is used at a regional scale to distribute information regarding imminent threats to public safety, such as severe weather situations (including [[flash flood]]s and [[tornado]]es), [[Amber alert]]s, and other civil emergencies.

It is jointly coordinated by the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA), the FCC, and the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA). The EAS regulations and standards are governed by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the FCC. All broadcast television, broadcast and [[satellite radio]] stations, as well as [[multichannel video programming distributor]]s (MVPDs), are required to participate in the system.

==Technical concept==
{{Main|Specific Area Message Encoding}}
Messages in the EAS are composed of four parts: a digitally encoded [[Specific Area Message Encoding]] (SAME) [[header (computing)|header]], an attention signal, an audio announcement, and a digitally encoded end-of-message marker.

[[File:Sage EAS Endec.jpg|right|thumb|A Sage EAS ENDEC unit]]
The {{Audio|Same.wav|SAME header}} is the most critical part of the EAS design. It contains information about who originated the alert (the president, state or local authorities, the [[National Weather Service]] (NOAA/NWS), or the broadcaster), a short, general description of the event (tornado, flood, severe thunderstorm), the areas affected (up to 32 counties or states), the expected duration of the event (in minutes), the date and time it was issued (in [[Universal Coordinated Time|UTC]]), and an identification of the originating station.

There are 79 radio stations designated as National Primary Stations in the Primary Entry Point (PEP) System to distribute presidential messages to other broadcast stations and cable systems.<ref name="The National Public Warning System">{{cite news |url=https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system |title=The National Public Warning System |work=FEMA.gov |date=May 12, 2017 |access-date=June 16, 2017 |archive-date=June 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614115219/https://www.fema.gov/national-public-warning-system |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[National Emergency Message]] (formerly known as the Emergency Action Notification) is the notice to broadcasters that the president of the United States or their designee will deliver a message over the EAS via the PEP system.<ref>{{cite conference | title=Emergency Alert System 2001 AM & FM Handbook | book-title=Emergency Alert System 2001 AM & FM Handbook | pages=4 | publisher=United States Federal Communications Commission | year=2001 | location=United States}}</ref> The government has stated that the system would allow a president to speak during a national emergency within 10 minutes.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23240430 | work=BBC News | title=Emergency broadcasts can be hacked, US researchers say | date=July 9, 2013 | access-date=July 21, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222121453/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23240430 | archive-date=December 22, 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/39hello-this-is-your-president39|title='Hello, This Is Your President'|date=February 2, 2010|website=Radio World|language=en-US|access-date=July 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731185645/https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/39hello-this-is-your-president39|archive-date=July 31, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable floatright"
|+ List of Primary Entry Point stations<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_incident-annex_power-outage.pdf|title=Power Outage Incident Annex to the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Plans|publisher=[[FEMA]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=April 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416114735/https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_incident-annex_power-outage.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! Operational area !! Station !! Citations
|-
| National || [[National Public Radio|NPR]], [[Premiere Radio Networks|PRN]], [[Sirius XM Radio|SXM]] ||
|-
| [[United States Virgin Islands]] || [[WSTA]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vitema.vi.gov/docs/default-source/annual-reports/2011-annual-report.pdf|title=Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency Annual Report 2011|website=vitema.vi.gov|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308172025/http://www.vitema.vi.gov/docs/default-source/annual-reports/2011-annual-report.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Puerto Rico]] || [[WKAQ (AM)|WKAQ]] || <ref name="fcc.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13186/download|title=PUERTO RICO EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM STATE EAS PLAN SEPTEMBER 2010|publisher=FCC|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209095124/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13186/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Maine]] || [[WGAN]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Maine-EAS-State-Plan-2017_FCCapproval.pdf|title=Emergency Alert System Plan for the State of Maine, revised November 2017|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326211741/https://www.mab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Maine-EAS-State-Plan-2017_FCCapproval.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[New Hampshire]], [[Vermont]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Rhode Island]] || [[WBZ (AM)|WBZ]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13891/download|title=Emergency Alert System Operational Plan December 2000|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316041420/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13891/download|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13888/download|title=Massachusetts Emergency Alert System Operational Plan|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522222210/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13888/download|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vabnow.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/vermont-eas-state-plan-as-approved-8-25-17.pdf|title=State of Vermont Emergency Alert System Plan|website=vabnow.files.wordpress.com|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302212749/https://vabnow.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/vermont-eas-state-plan-as-approved-8-25-17.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=State of Rhode Island Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan, August 2017|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13632/download|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316041425/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13632/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Connecticut]] || [[WTIC (AM)|WTIC]] || <ref>{{Cite web|title=Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan for Connecticut, V1.3|url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/demhs/_docs/plans-and-publications/ehsp0048--easplan2014.pdf|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302140615/https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEMHS/_docs/Plans-and-Publications/EHSP0048--EASPlan2014.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[New York City|NYC]], [[New Jersey]] || [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] || <ref name="ny">{{Cite web|url=https://nysbroadcasters.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NYSBA-EAS-Plan-August-20162.pdf|title=New York State Emergency Alert System EAS Plan|website=nysbroadcasters.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929174642/https://nysbroadcasters.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NYSBA-EAS-Plan-August-20162.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Northeast New York || [[WROW]] ||
|-
| South Central New York || [[WBNW-FM]] || <ref name="ny"/>
|-
| North Central New York || [[WHEN (AM)|WHEN]] ||
|-
| Western New York || [[WHAM (AM)|WHAM]] || <ref name="ny"/>
|-
| [[Delaware]], Eastern [[Pennsylvania]] || [[WTEL (AM)|WTEL]], [[WHYY-FM]] || <ref>{{Cite web|title=Delaware Emergency Alert Statewide Plan 2016|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/12956/download|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123122507/https://www.fcc.gov/file/12956/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Western Pennsylvania || [[KDKA (AM)|KDKA]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbr.com/eas-summit-and-pep-stations/|title=EAS Summit and PEP stations &#124; Radio & Television Business Report|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119054449/https://www.rbr.com/eas-summit-and-pep-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[West Virginia]] || [[WCHS (AM)|WCHS]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13914/download|title=West Virginia Emergency Alert System Operational Plan|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316041115/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13914/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Maryland]] || [[WBAL (AM)|WBAL]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mdem.maryland.gov/Documents/md_eas_master_plan.pdf|title=Rules for Activating the Emergency Alert System in Maryland for Broadcasters, Cable Operators, Emergency Managers and Others Concerned with Public Warning|date=January 2006|publisher=Maryland State Emergency Communications Committee|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229204811/https://mdem.maryland.gov/Documents/md_eas_master_plan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[District of Columbia]] || [[WFED]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://sbe37.org/index.php?action=P&page_id=448|title=SBE Chapter 37 – Prior Meetings Page – AM Revitalization – WFED 1500 AM Transmitter|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527034408/https://sbe37.org/index.php?action=P&page_id=448|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Eastern [[Virginia]] || [[WTAR]] ||
|-
| Central Virginia || [[WRXL]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13913/download|title=Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Alert System Plan|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316041426/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13913/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Western Virginia || [[WPLY (AM)|WPLY]] ||
|-
| Eastern [[North Carolina]] || [[WSFL-FM]] ||
|-
| Central North Carolina || [[WQDR-FM]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://files.nc.gov/ncdps/div/EM/Documents/StateEASPlanAugust2011.pdf|title=North Carolina Emergency Alert System State Plan|date=August 2011|publisher=North Carolina State Emergency Communications Committee|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230001944/https://files.nc.gov/ncdps/div/EM/Documents/StateEASPlanAugust2011.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Western North Carolina || [[WBT (AM)|WBT]] ||
|-
| Upstate [[South Carolina]] || [[WKVG (FM)|WKVG]] ||
|-
| Downstate South Carolina || [[WCOS-FM]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dropbox.com/s/drndenbgpi05owe/EAS%20PLAN%20Jan%202004%20rev%2006%2030%2019.pdf?dl=0|title=EAS PLAN Jan 2004 rev 06 30 19.PDF|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=August 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814001827/https://www.dropbox.com/s/drndenbgpi05owe/EAS%20PLAN%20Jan%202004%20rev%2006%2030%2019.pdf?dl=0|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] || [[WMAC]], [[WSRV]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gema.georgia.gov/document/document/201609sepeaschangespdf/download|title=State of Georgia Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan|date=2015-05-01|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415230636/https://gema.georgia.gov/document/document/201609sepeaschangespdf/download|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| North [[Florida]] || [[WOKV (AM)|WOKV]] || <ref name="fl">{{Cite web|url=http://fab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/State-of-Florida-EAS-Plan-Revised-with-CFR-08142019.pdf|title=Florida Association of Broadcasters}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
|-
| Central Florida || [[WFLF (AM)|WFLF]] || <ref name="fl"/>
|-
| South Florida || [[WAQI]] || <ref name="fl"/>
|-
| [[Alabama]] || [[WJOX (AM)|WJOX]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://al-ba.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Alabama-EAS-Monitoring-Assignments.pdf|title=Alabama EAS Plan|website=al-ba.com|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424160232/https://al-ba.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Alabama-EAS-Monitoring-Assignments.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Mississippi]] || [[WMSI-FM]] ||
|-
| East [[Tennessee]] || [[WJCW]], [[WJXB-FM]] || <ref name="tn">{{Cite web|url=https://tabtn.org/wp-content/uploads/easPlanTN.pdf|title=Tennessee Statewide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan|date=March 2018|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=September 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923045255/https://tabtn.org/wp-content/uploads/easPlanTN.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Middle Tennessee, southwest [[Indiana]] || [[WSM (AM)|WSM]] || <ref name="tn"/><ref name="in">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indianabroadcasters.org/app/uploads/2016/03/Indiana-EAS-Plan-May-2018-1.pdf|title=Indiana State EAS Plan|website=indianabroadcasters.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216225609/https://www.indianabroadcasters.org/app/uploads/2016/03/Indiana-EAS-Plan-May-2018-1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| West Tennessee || [[WREC]] || <ref name="tn"/>
|-
| [[Kentucky]], southwest [[Ohio]], southeast Indiana || [[WLW (AM)|WLW]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13887/download|title=Kentucky Emergency Alert System New State Plan — Preliminary Summary|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316041426/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13887/download|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="oh">{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/15530/download|title=State of Ohio Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022193211/https://www.fcc.gov/file/15530/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Northeast Ohio || [[WTAM (AM)|WTAM]] || <ref name="oh"/>
|-
| [[Michigan]] || [[WJR (AM)|WJR]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/12842/download|title=Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan for the State of Michigan|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=May 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530224141/https://www.fcc.gov/file/12842/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Northwest Indiana, northern [[Illinois]] || [[WLS (AM)|WLS]] || <ref name="in"/><ref name="il">{{Cite web|url=https://ilba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IL-EAS-State-EAS-Plan-June-2019-Final.pdf|title=State of Illinois Emergency Alert System State Plan|website=ilba.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518235614/https://ilba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IL-EAS-State-EAS-Plan-June-2019-Final.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Southern Illinois, Eastern [[Missouri]] || [[KMOX (AM)|KMOX]] || <ref name="in"/><ref name="mo">{{cite web|url=https://sbe55.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mo-eas-plan.pdf|title=Missouri State EAS Plan|website=sbe55.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326211741/https://sbe55.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mo-eas-plan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Wisconsin]] || [[WTMJ (AM)|WTMJ]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbe24.org/EAS/MAIN0120.pdf|title=State of Wisconsin Emergency Alert System State EAS Plan|website=sbe24.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120202440/http://www.sbe24.org/EAS/MAIN0120.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Minnesota]] || [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ecn/Documents/eas-mnplan-2019.pdf|title=Minnesota Emergency Alert System Statewide Plan|website=dps.mn.gov|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123222709/https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ecn/Documents/eas-mnplan-2019.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Iowa]] || [[WHO (AM)|WHO]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/SD/1129236.pdf|title=Iowa Public Radio|website=legis.iowa.gov|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303055501/https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/SD/1129236.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Central Missouri || [[KTXY]] ||
|-
| Western Missouri, [[Kansas]] || [[WHB (AM)|WHB]] || <ref name="mo"/>
|-
| [[Arkansas]] || [[KAAY]] ||
|-
| Southeast [[Louisiana]] || [[WWL (AM)|WWL]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://broadcasters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/LA-eas-plan.pdf|title=State of Louisiana Emergency Alert System (EAS) Operational Plan|website=broadcasters.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102080658/https://broadcasters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/LA-eas-plan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Northwest Louisiana || [[KWKH]] ||
|-
| Central [[Texas]] || [[KLBJ (AM)|KLBJ]] || <ref name="tx">{{cite web|url=https://www.tab.org/public/upload/files/misc/LATEST_VERSION_-_eas-texasplan-7-2-2021.pdf|title=Texas Emergency Alert System|website=tab.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=April 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417015220/https://www.tab.org/public/upload/files/misc/LATEST_VERSION_-_eas-texasplan-7-2-2021.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| North Texas || [[WBAP (AM)|WBAP]], [[KSCS]] || <ref name="tx"/>
|-
| Southeast Texas || [[KTRH (AM)|KTRH]] || <ref name="tx"/>
|-
| West Texas || [[KROD (AM)|KROD]] || <ref name="tx"/>
|-
| Oklahoma || [[KRMG (AM)|KRMG]], [[KOKC (AM)|KOKC]] ||
|-
| [[Nebraska]] || [[KRVN (AM)|KRVN]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ne-eas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-State-EAS-Plan-4-1-20.pdf|title=Nebraska State Emergency Alert System Plan|website=ne-eas.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222230451/https://ne-eas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-State-EAS-Plan-4-1-20.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]] (secondary) || [[KFYR (AM)|KFYR]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndba.org/files/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/EAS_State_Warning_Plan_2018.pdf|title=State Alert and Warning Plan|website=ndba.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024000812/https://www.ndba.org/files/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/EAS_State_Warning_Plan_2018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://sdba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Approved-EAS-Plan-by-FCC-Dec-2016-State-Final-Rev-102518.pdf|title=South Dakota State Plan For The Emergency Alert System|website=sdba.org|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326211741/https://sdba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Approved-EAS-Plan-by-FCC-Dec-2016-State-Final-Rev-102518.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Montana]] || [[KERR]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://des.mt.gov/Response/EAS/MT-EAS-Plan_Final_8Feb2018.pdf|title=State of Montana 2016 Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan|website=des.mt.gov|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724081907/https://des.mt.gov/Response/EAS/MT-EAS-Plan_Final_8Feb2018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Wyoming]] || [[KTWO (AM)|KTWO]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13915/download|title=Wyoming State Plan for The Emergency Alert System|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316041426/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13915/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Colorado]], [[South Dakota]] (primary)|| [[KOA (AM)|KOA]] || <ref name="auto"/>
|-
| [[New Mexico]] || [[KKOB (AM)|KKOB]] ||
|-
| [[Arizona]] || [[KFLT (AM)|KFLT]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13897/download|title=State of Arizona Emergency Alert System Operational Plan|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316041427/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13897/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Utah]] || [[KSL (AM)|KSL]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://img.ksl.com/slc/2544/254498/25449878.doc|title=Utah State Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan|website=img.ksl.com|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415141320/http://img.ksl.com/slc/2544/254498/25449878.doc|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Idaho]] || [[KBOI (AM)|KBOI]] || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/broadcasters-wireless |accessdate=2024-04-22 |title=Broadcasters and Wireless Providers |website=fema.gov}}</ref>
|-
| Northern [[Nevada]] || [[KKOH]] ||
|-
| Southern [[Nevada]] || [[KXNT (AM)|KXNT]] ||
|-
| [[San Diego]] area || [[KOGO (AM)|KOGO]] || <ref name="ca">{{cite web|url=https://www.caloes.ca.gov/WarningCenterSite/Documents/StateofCaliforniaEAS-Plan.pdf|title=State of California Emergency Alert System Plan|website=caloes.ca.gov|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125002549/https://www.caloes.ca.gov/WarningCenterSite/Documents/StateofCaliforniaEAS-Plan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Southern California]] || [[KFI]], [[KNX (AM)|KNX]] || <ref name="ca"/>
|-
| Central California || [[KMJ (AM)|KMJ]] || <ref name="ca"/>
|-
| Northern California || [[KCBS (AM)|KCBS]] || <ref name="ca"/>
|- 
| Hawaii || [[Hawaii Emergency Management Agency|HEMA]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2016/03/2003-EAS-plan-with-Change-2.pdf|title=State of Hawaii Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan|website=dod.hawaii.gov|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921170634/https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2016/03/2003-EAS-plan-with-Change-2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 
|-
| [[American Samoa]] || [[WVUV-FM]] ||
|-
| [[Guam]] and [[Northern Mariana Islands|Northern Marianas]] || [[KTWG]] ||
|-
| [[Oregon]] || [[KOPB-FM]], [[KPNW (AM)|KPNW]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sbe76.org/Oregon%20State%20EAS%20Plan%202021.docx|title=sbe76}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
|-
| [[Washington (state)|Washington]] || [[KIRO (AM)|KIRO]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://mil.wa.gov/asset/5fb594e600ab9|title=Participating National (PN) Monitoring Matrix|website=mil.wa.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022171746/https://mil.wa.gov/asset/5fb594e600ab9|archive-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Alaska]] || [[KFQD]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/file/13895/download|title=State of Alaska Emergency Alert System Plan|website=[[FCC]]|access-date=March 16, 2022|archive-date=April 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417015217/https://www.fcc.gov/file/13895/download|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

===Primary Entry Point stations===
The National Public Warning System, also known as the '''Primary Entry Point''' ('''PEP''') stations, is a network of 77 radio stations that are, in coordination with FEMA, used to originate emergency alert and warning information to the public before, during, and after incidents and disasters. PEP stations are equipped with additional and backup communications equipment and power generators designed to enable them to continue broadcasting information to the public during and after an event.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

Beginning with [[WJR]] Detroit and [[WLW]] Cincinnati in 2016, FEMA began the process of constructing transportable studio shelters at the transmitters of 33 PEP stations, which feature broadcasting equipment, emergency provisions, a rest area, and an air filtration system. NPWS project manager Manny Centeno explained that these shelters were designed to "[expand] the survivability of these stations to include an all hazards platform, which means chemical, biological, radiological air protection and protection from electromagnetic pulse."<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/wlw-pep-station-to-test-new-studio-shelter|title=WLW PEP Station to Test New Studio Shelter|date=October 22, 2018|website=Radio World|language=en-US|access-date=July 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401160113/https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/wlw-pep-station-to-test-new-studio-shelter|archive-date=April 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=https://radioink.com/2018/10/22/fema-upgrading-wlw/|title=FEMA Upgrading WLW|date=October 22, 2018|website=Radio Ink|language=en-US|access-date=July 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730192226/https://radioink.com/2018/10/22/fema-upgrading-wlw/|archive-date=July 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/in-hardening-eas-lynchpins-fema-puts-confidence-in-radio/article_890c20a4-d824-11e8-8a9f-d33e31890575.html|title=In Hardening EAS Lynchpins, FEMA Puts Confidence In Radio.|website=Insideradio.com|date=25 October 2018 |language=en|access-date=July 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729071743/http://www.insideradio.com/free/in-hardening-eas-lynchpins-fema-puts-confidence-in-radio/article_890c20a4-d824-11e8-8a9f-d33e31890575.html|archive-date=July 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Communication links===
The FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) "Provides Primary Entry Point service to the Emergency Alert System", and acts as an emergency presidential link into the EAS. The FNARS net control station is located at the [[Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/phin/conference/04conference/05-27-04/Session_12D_Ross_Merlin.pdf | title=Communications Systems for Public Health Contingencies | last=Merlin | first=Ross Z. | year=2004 | publisher=DHS/FEMA Wireless Program Management Team | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625023050/http://www.cdc.gov/phin/conference/04conference/05-27-04/Session_12D_Ross_Merlin.pdf | archive-date=June 25, 2008}}</ref>

Once an EAN is received by an EAS participant from a PEP station (or any other participant) the message then "daisy chains" through the network of participants. "Daisy chains" form when one station receives a message from multiple other stations and the station then forwards that message to multiple other stations. This process creates many redundant paths through which the message may flow, increasing the likelihood that the message will be received by all participants and adding to the survivability of the system. Each EAS participant is required to monitor at least two other participants.

===EAS header===
Because the header lacks error detection codes, it is repeated three times for redundancy. EAS decoders compare the received headers against one another, looking for an exact match between any two, eliminating most errors that can cause an activation to fail. The decoder then decides whether to ignore the message or to relay it on the air if the message applies to the local area served by the station (following parameters set by the broadcaster).

The SAME header bursts are followed by an EAS attention tone, which lasts between 8 and 25 seconds, depending on the originating station. The tone is {{Audio|1050Hz Tone.ogg|1,050&nbsp;Hz}} on a [[NOAA Weather Radio]] station. On commercial broadcast stations, a {{Audio|Emergency Alert System Attention Signal 20s.ogg|"two-tone"}} attention signal of 853&nbsp;[[Hertz (frequency)|Hz]] and 960&nbsp;Hz [[sine wave]]s is used instead, the same signal used by the older [[Emergency Broadcast System]]. These tones have become infamous, and can be considered both frightening and annoying by listeners; in fact, the two tones, which form approximately the interval of a just [[major second]] at an unusually high pitch, were chosen specifically for their ability to draw attention, due to their unpleasantness on the [[human ear]]. The SAME header is equally known for its shrillness, which many have found to be startling. These tones are illegal to play on television or radio when there is not an actual emergency; doing so would result in disciplinary action or be fined for misuse or unauthorized playback of the tones (see "Tone usage outside of alerts" section below).<ref>https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-758A1.pdf</ref> The "two-tone" system is no longer required as of 1998, and is to be used only for audio alerts before EAS messages.<ref name="cfr47">{{cite web |date=July 26, 2014 |title=United States Code of Federal Regulations – 47 CFR 11.61 – Tests of EAS procedures |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2013-title47-vol1/pdf/CFR-2013-title47-vol1-sec11-61.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726180608/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2013-title47-vol1/pdf/CFR-2013-title47-vol1-sec11-61.pdf |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=July 19, 2014 |publisher=access.gpo.gov}}</ref> Like the EBS, the attention signal is followed by a voice message describing the details of the alert.

The message ends with 3 bursts of the [[Audio frequency-shift keying|AFSK]] "EOM", or [[End of Message]], which is the text <code>NNNN</code>, preceded each time by the [[Binary numeral system|binary]] 10101011 calibration.

=== IPAWS ===

Under a 2006 executive order issued by [[George W. Bush]], the U.S. government was instructed to create "an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive" public warning system. This was accomplished via expansions to the aforementioned PEP network, and the development of the [[Integrated Public Alert and Warning System]] (IPAWS)—a national aggregator and distributor of alert information using the [[XML]]-based [[Common Alerting Protocol]] (CAP) and an internet network. IPAWS can be used to distribute alert information to EAS participants, supported mobile phones ([[Wireless Emergency Alerts]]), and other platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/Impact-IPAWS-Public-Alerts-Warnings.html|title=The Impact of IPAWS on Public Alerts and Warnings|website=www.govtech.com|date=January 17, 2011|language=en|access-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824071200/https://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/Impact-IPAWS-Public-Alerts-Warnings.html|archive-date=August 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> IPAWS also allows the audio portion of an EAS message to utilize higher quality [[digital audio]], rather than needing to carry the audio off-air from the originating station.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Winslow |first=George |date=2022-09-29 |title=FCC Updates Emergency Alert Rules |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-updates-emergency-alert-rules |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930010925/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-updates-emergency-alert-rules |archive-date=September 30, 2022 |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=TVTechnology |language=en}}</ref>

Under an FCC report and order issued in 2007, EAS participants would be required to migrate to digital equipment supporting CAP within 180 days of the specification's adoption by FEMA. This was originally scheduled for September 30, 2010, but the deadline was later delayed to June 30, 2012 at the request of broadcasters.<ref name=":3" />

The FCC has established that IPAWS is not a full substitute for the SAME protocol, as it is vulnerable to situations that may make internet connectivity unavailable. Therefore, as a backup distribution path, broadcasters must also convert CAP messages to SAME headers to enable [[backwards compatibility]] with the existing "daisy chain" method of EAS distribution.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=385a5fb7-aa83-431d-80a1-3aa45296e3db|title=FCC revises emergency alert system rules; reminds participants of June 30, 2012 CAP compliance deadline|last1=Oxenford|first1=Davis Wright Tremaine LLP-David D.|last2=Tol|first2=Jennifer|newspaper=Lexology|language=en|access-date=August 24, 2019|last3=Frewer|date=February 10, 2012|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319103359/https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=385a5fb7-aa83-431d-80a1-3aa45296e3db|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastlawblog.com/2010/09/articles/fema-adopts-digital-message-format-for-eas-cap-standard-triggering-180-day-clock-for-compliance/|title=FEMA Adopts Digital Message Format for EAS CAP Standard, Triggering 180-Day Clock for Compliance|date=September 30, 2010|website=Broadcast Law Blog|language=en-US|access-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824071200/https://www.broadcastlawblog.com/2010/09/articles/fema-adopts-digital-message-format-for-eas-cap-standard-triggering-180-day-clock-for-compliance/|archive-date=August 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2021, the FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking to prioritize the display of alert audio and text from CAP messages, in order to provide higher quality alert audio, improve parity between the visual display and audio for the benefit of the [[Hearing loss|hearing impaired]], and to reduce the amount of technical [[jargon]] contained within the visual display.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=George |first=Winslow |date=2023-11-29 |title=FCC Delays Implementation of New Emergency Alert Rules for Some Broadcasters |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-delays-emergency-alert-implementation-for-some-broadcasters |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=TVTechnology |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-15 |title=FCC Seeks to Improve Accessibility & Clarity of Emergency Alerts |url=https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-improve-accessibility-clarity-emergency-alerts-0 |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=Federal Communications Commission |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930010931/https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-improve-accessibility-clarity-emergency-alerts-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> The rules were enacted in September 2022, with a deadline of December 12, 2023, for compliance;<ref name=":11" /> the FCC later granted an extension to some broadcasters due to a delay in the release of associated software updates by EAS decoder vendor Sage.<ref name=":13" />

==Station requirements==
The FCC requires all broadcast stations and [[multichannel video programming distributor]]s (MVPD), hereafter "EAS participants", to install and maintain FCC-certified EAS decoders and encoders at their control points or [[Cable television headend|headends]]. These decoders continuously monitor the signals from other nearby broadcast stations for EAS messages. For reliability, at least two source stations must be monitored, one of which must be a designated ''local primary''. Participants are to retain the latest version of the EAS handbook.

EAS participants are required by federal law to relay [[National Emergency Message|National Emergency Messages]] (EAN, formerly Emergency Action Notification) immediately (47 CFR Part 11.54).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=763e47002785e63b94a7710dcf78869a&rgn=div8&view=text&node=47:1.0.1.1.12.4.231.4&idno=47|title=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations|publisher=National Archives|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529053544/http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr|archive-date=May 29, 2012|access-date=July 6, 2012}}</ref> Broadcasters traditionally have been allowed to opt out of relaying other alerts such as [[severe weather]], and [[child abduction]] emergencies ([[Amber alert]]s) if they so choose. In practice, many television stations usually [[Breaking news#Television|interrupt regularly-scheduled programming]] during newsworthy situations (such as severe weather) to provide extended coverage from their [[local news]] departments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ohio-weatherman-fires-back-at-bachelorette-viewers-tornado-warning-1213957|title=Ohio Weatherman Fires Back at 'Bachelorette' Fans After Tornado Warning Interrupts Broadcast|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 28, 2019|language=en|access-date=October 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014060137/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ohio-weatherman-fires-back-at-bachelorette-viewers-tornado-warning-1213957|archive-date=October 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

If possible, EAS participants must transmit the audio,<ref name=":11" /> and (where applicable) a visual display containing the extended text, from the associated CAP message.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> 

EAS participants are required to keep logs of all received messages. Logs may be kept by hand but are usually kept automatically by a small receipt printer in the encoder/decoder unit. Logs may also be kept electronically inside the unit as long as there is access to an external printer or method to transfer them to a [[personal computer|computer]].
==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===
{{main|National Periodic Test}}
{{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=https://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=dead}}</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=dead}}</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>

A test was planned for 2024, but was ultimately cancelled by the FCC for unknown reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-06 |title=No National EAS Test In 2024, FEMA Says, But Radio's October Filing Deadline Remains. |url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/no-national-eas-test-in-2024-fema-says-but-radios-october-filing-deadline-remains/article_71a0e1a0-53bd-11ef-b863-8f49cbaf009a.html |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=Insideradio.com |language=en}}</ref>

A test was also planned for fall 2025, but was once again cancelled by the FCC for unknown reasons. It has been speculated that the 2025 cancellation may have occurred due to recent staffing cuts, however, this has not been confirmed yet.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-13 |title=No National EAS Test In 2025, But Radio's October Filing Deadline Remains. |url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/no-national-eas-test-in-2025-but-radio-s-october-filing-deadline-remains/article_7cac7a3f-9748-4ae7-9ec1-a202f8a7eeb6.html |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=Insideradio.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Additions and proposals==

The number of event types in the national system has grown to eighty. At first, all but three of the events (civil emergency message, immediate evacuation, and emergency action notification [national emergency]) were weather-related (such as a [[tornado warning]]). Since then, several classes of non-weather emergencies have been added, including, in most states, the [[Amber alert]] System for child abduction emergencies. In 2016, three additional weather alert codes were authorized for use in relation to hurricane events, including [[Extreme wind warning|Extreme Wind Warning]] (EWW), [[Storm Surge Warning]] (SSW) and [[Storm Surge Watch]] (SSA).

In 2004, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) seeking comment on whether EAS in its present form is the most effective mechanism for warning the American public of an emergency and, if not, on how EAS can be improved, such as mandatory text messages to cellphones, regardless of subscription. As noted above, rules implemented by the FCC on July 12, 2007 provisionally endorse incorporating CAP with the SAME protocol.

In November 2020, Congress passed the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act.<ref>{{cite web|last=Balderston|first=Michael|date=November 18, 2020|title=House Approves Bill Bringing EAS to Streaming|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/house-passes-bill-for-bringing-emergency-alerts-to-streaming|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=TVTechnology|language=en|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303122855/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/house-passes-bill-for-bringing-emergency-alerts-to-streaming|url-status=live}}</ref> First sponsored by Hawaii Senator [[Brian Schatz]] in response to the [[2018 Hawaii false missile alert|Hawaii false missile alert]], it amends the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act to require distribution of wireless alerts issued by the administrator of FEMA, and commands the FCC to establish a means of reporting false alerts, encourage the establishment of State Emergency Communications Committees (SECC) that would meet annually to evaluate their EAS plans, require the repetition of alerts surrounding "emergencies of national significance", and open an inquiry into the feasibility of implementing the EAS on internet-related services.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/sens-schatz-and-thune-introduce-readi-act-to-improve-eas|title=Sens. Schatz, Thune Introduce READI Act to Improve EAS|last=Ashworth|first=Susan|website=TvTechnology|date=July 23, 2018|language=en-us|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428062752/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/sens-schatz-and-thune-introduce-readi-act-to-improve-eas|archive-date=April 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/new-law-would-put-eas-alerts-on-repeat/article_8457e1c0-02ee-11e9-8c80-f7e23e5b84bb.html|title=New Law Would Put EAS Alerts On Repeat.|website=Insideradio.com|date=December 18, 2018 |language=en|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428063214/http://www.insideradio.com/new-law-would-put-eas-alerts-on-repeat/article_8457e1c0-02ee-11e9-8c80-f7e23e5b84bb.html|archive-date=April 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McNerney|first=Jerry|date=November 18, 2020|title=Text – H.R.6096 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): READI Act|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6096/text|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=www.congress.gov|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117215955/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6096/text|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|date=November 17, 2020|title=House Passes Emergency Alert-Focused 'READI' Act|url=https://www.rbr.com/house-passes-emergency-alert-focused-readi-act/|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=Radio & Television Business Report|language=en-US|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130172359/https://www.rbr.com/house-passes-emergency-alert-focused-readi-act/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Limitations==
The EAS can only be used to relay audio messages that preempt all programming; as the intent of an Emergency Action Notification is to serve as a "last-ditch effort to get a message out if the president cannot get to the media", it can easily be made redundant by the [[24-hour news cycle|immediate and constant coverage]] that major weather events and other newsworthy situations—such as, most prominently, the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001—receive from television broadcasters and [[news channel]]s. Following the attacks, then-FCC chairman [[Michael K. Powell]] cited "the ubiquitous media environment" as justification for not using the EAS in their immediate aftermath. Glenn Collins of ''[[The New York Times]]'' acknowledged these limitations, noting that "no president has ever used the current [EAS] system or its technical predecessors in the last 50 years, despite the [[Cold War|Soviet missile crisis]], a [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|presidential assassination]], the [[Oklahoma City bombing]], major earthquakes and three recent high-alert terrorist warnings", and that using it would have actually hindered the availability of live coverage from media outlets.<ref name="Collins">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/21/nyregion/silence-alert-system-experts-urge-overhaul-plan-unused-even-sept-11.html?scp=1&sq=Emergency%20Alert%20System&st=cse |title=The Silence of the Alert System; Experts Urge Overhaul of Plan Unused Even on Sept. 11 |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=December 21, 2001 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121042624/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/21/nyregion/silence-alert-system-experts-urge-overhaul-plan-unused-even-sept-11.html?scp=1&sq=Emergency%20Alert%20System&st=cse |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rwonline">{{cite web |last=Stine |first=Randy J. |url=http://www.rwonline.com/reference-room/special-report/rw-eas2.shtml |title=Terrorism Attacks Cue EAS Debate |work=Radio World |date=September 26, 2001 |publisher=IMAS Publishing (USA) Inc. |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 24, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011024114726/http://www.rwonline.com/reference-room/special-report/rw-eas2.shtml}}</ref>

Following the [[tornado outbreak of March 3, 2019]], Birmingham, Alabama NWS meteorologist Kevin Laws told [[CNN]] that he, personally, wished that alerts could be updated in real-time in order to reflect the unpredictable nature of weather events, noting that the storm system's unexpected change in trajectory towards [[Lee County, Alabama|Lee County]] resulted in only a nine-minute warning (the resulting tornado would kill 23 people).<ref name=":0" />

The trend of [[cord cutting]] has led to concerns that viewers' lessened use of broadcast media in favor of [[over-the-top content|streaming video services]] would inhibit their ability to receive emergency information (notwithstanding [[Wireless Emergency Alerts|availability of alerts on mobile phones]]).<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/08/tech/emergency-alert-netflix-hulu-streaming/index.html|title=Should Netflix and Hulu give you emergency alerts?|last=Wattles|first=Jackie|website=CNN|date=March 8, 2019|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428023625/https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/08/tech/emergency-alert-netflix-hulu-streaming/index.html|archive-date=April 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/182663/senate-approves-readi-act-to-inform-public-in-emer|title=Senate Approves 'READI' Act To Inform Public In Emergencies|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428023626/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/182663/senate-approves-readi-act-to-inform-public-in-emer|archive-date=April 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The READI Act called for an inquiry into the distribution of alerts via internet platforms.<ref name=":0" />

==Incidents==
<!-- Entries in this section MUST be attributed to reliable secondary sources, such as news articles. YouTube uploads and anecdotes are NOT usually considered reliable sources. -->

=== False alarms ===
* On April 21, 1997, several television and radio stations in [[Florida]], [[Hawaii]], [[Louisiana]], and [[Ohio]] mistakenly received a false Emergency Action Notification. Early indications pointed to a human error at the National Emergency Coordination Center in Virginia that routed a test requested by a relay for the [[Chicago Metropolitan Area]] to test out one radio station's then-new EAS equipment as part of the EBS/EAS transition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC-Engineering/Radio-World-Modern/2000/Radio-World-2000-09-27.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523232943/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC-Engineering/Radio-World-Modern/2000/Radio-World-2000-09-27.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 23, 2023|title=When The Emergency Alert System Goes Wrong|accessdate=May 24, 2023}}</ref>
* On February 1, 2005 in [[Connecticut]], an alert was [[2005 Connecticut false evacuation alert|mistakenly issued]] calling for the immediate evacuation of the entire state. The alert contained no specific detail on why it had been issued. The message was broadcast due to operator error while conducting an unannounced, but scheduled statewide test. A study conducted following the incident reported that at least 11% of residents actually saw the warning live, and that 63% of those surveyed were "a little or not at all concerned"—citing a suspicious lack of detail in the message, which a legitimate alert would include. Only 1% of those surveyed actually attempted to leave the state. [[Connecticut State Police]] did not receive any calls related to the incident.<ref name="courant-evac">{{cite news|last1=Pazinokas|first1=Mark|title=Connecticut Evacuation: False Alarm|url=https://www.courant.com/2005/02/02/connecticut-evacuation-false-alarm/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=[[Hartford Courant]]|date=February 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215215406/http://articles.courant.com/2005-02-02/news/0502020861_1_evacuation-order-false-alarm-emergency-alert-system|archive-date=February 15, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ct-study">{{cite web|title=Public Reaction to the Erroneous Statewide Broadcast of February 1st, 2005|url=https://www2.gwu.edu/~icdrm/publications/CT%20Emergency%20Broadcast%20Final%20Report.pdf|website=[[George Washington University]]|publisher=Center for Survey Research and Analysis|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614214104/http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eicdrm/publications/CT%20Emergency%20Broadcast%20Final%20Report.pdf|archive-date=June 14, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=False Alarm, Connecticut Not Being Evacuated | url=http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2_5/comments/false_alarm_connecticut_not_being_evacuated/ | publisher=WestportNow.com | date=February 1, 2005 | quote=State police said they received no calls related to the erroneous alert. | access-date=June 5, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402222723/https://westportnow.com/index.php?%2Fv2_5%2Fcomments%2Ffalse_alarm_connecticut_not_being_evacuated%2F | archive-date=April 2, 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* On June 26, 2007 at 7:35&nbsp;a.m. [[Central Time Zone|CDT]], an EAN was accidentally issued in [[Illinois]], when a new satellite receiver at the state's EOC was accidentally connected to a live system before final internal testing of the new delivery path had been completed. The alert was followed by [[dead air]], and then audio from designated station [[WGN (AM)|720 WGN]] in Chicago being simulcast across almost every television and radio station in the Chicago area and throughout much of Illinois. A confused [[Spike O'Dell]], host of the station's morning show at the time, was heard on-air wondering "what that beeping was all about".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/Emergency.Alert.System.2.337932.html |title=Emergency Alert System Activated By Mistake |website=cbs2chicago.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806205146/http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/Emergency.Alert.System.2.337932.html |archive-date=August 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Inadvertent Activation of the Illinois Emergency Alert System |url=http://www.fema.gov/media/fact_sheets/eas.shtm |publisher=FEMA |date=June 28, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717212239/http://www.fema.gov/media/fact_sheets/eas.shtm |archive-date=July 17, 2007  }}</ref>
* On May 19, 2010, [[NOAA Weather Radio]] and [[United States Army Chemical Materials Activity|CSEPP]] tone alert radios in the [[Hermiston, Oregon]] area, near the [[Umatilla Chemical Depot]], were activated with an EAS alert shortly after 5 p.m. The message transmitted was for a [[severe thunderstorm warning]], issued by the National Weather Service in [[Pendleton, Oregon|Pendleton]], but the transmission broadcast instead was a long period of silence, followed by a few words in Spanish. [[Umatilla County, Oregon|Umatilla County]] Emergency Management stressed that there was no emergency at the depot.<ref>{{cite news | agency=Associated Press | url=http://heraldnet.com/article/20100520/NEWS03/705209858 | location=Everett, Washington | title=Glitch scrambles Oregon thunderstorm warning | work=The Herald | date=May 20, 2010 | access-date=June 1, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712180746/http://heraldnet.com/article/20100520/NEWS03/705209858 | archive-date=July 12, 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* On September 3, 2016, in the wake of [[Hurricane Hermine|Tropical Storm Hermine]], an alert was displayed on television calling for the immediate evacuation of the entirety of [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County]], abruptly ending with the incomplete sentence "This is an emergency message from". About 15 minutes after the original message was sent, the alert was re-issued with an addendum clarifying that the alert was actually calling for a voluntary evacuation of [[Fire Island]]—a [[barrier island]] of [[Long Island]]. Officials cited an error in the county's Code Red system; while the correct message was entered into the system, an error processing an abbreviated message for television resulted in the error.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Evacuation-Alert-for-Suffolk-County-Mistakenly-Given-Administrator-392266541.html|title=Evacuation Alert for Suffolk County Mistakenly Given|work=NBC New York|access-date=November 27, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075155/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Evacuation-Alert-for-Suffolk-County-Mistakenly-Given-Administrator-392266541.html|archive-date=November 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-automated-system-caused-false-evacuation-alert-for-hermine-1.12269519|title=Officials: Automated system caused false alert for Hermine|website=Newsday|date=September 6, 2016 |language=en|access-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129061924/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-automated-system-caused-false-evacuation-alert-for-hermine-1.12269519|archive-date=January 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On May 23, 2017, at around 8:55&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]], a Nuclear Power Plant Warning was issued for the [[Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plant|Hope Creek]] and [[Salem Nuclear Power Plant|Salem]] Nuclear Power Plants. The alert was issued for [[Salem County, New Jersey|Salem]] and [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland]] counties in New Jersey. In a statement by the New Jersey State Police, it was a test message, intended for a small group of emergency management personnel who were participating in the test. Due to a coding error, the message was publicly broadcast. This would happen again in July 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Gray |title=False nuclear power plant warning worried NJ residents |url=https://6abc.com/new-jersey-news-nuclear-power-plant-warning-emergency-alert-system-salem-hope-creek/2031983/ |access-date=March 25, 2023 |work=[[WPVI-TV|6ABC Action News]]|date=May 24, 2017 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326002445/https://6abc.com/new-jersey-news-nuclear-power-plant-warning-emergency-alert-system-salem-hope-creek/2031983/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On August 15, 2017 at approximately 12:25&nbsp;a.m. [[Chamorro Time Zone|ChST]], [[Guam]] stations [[KTWG]] and [[KSTO]] transmitted a civil danger warning for the island; Guam Homeland Security described the message, which interrupted programming on the stations, and was received on television by some viewers, as being an "unauthorized test" of the EAS. The incident's impact was strengthened, as [[North Korea]] had threatened the launch of ballistic missiles towards Guam only a few days beforehand. Numerous calls to 911 operators and the [[Department of Homeland Security]] were made following the broadcast.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/15/asia/guam-accidental-warning-trnd/index.html|title=Guam radio stations freak out island with emergency alert|last=Criss|first=Doug|work=CNN|access-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921022833/http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/15/asia/guam-accidental-warning-trnd/index.html|archive-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/15/guam-radio-stations-accidental-emergency-alert-north-korea-threat|title=Guam radio stations accidentally air emergency alert amid North Korea threat|last=Haas|first=Benjamin|date=August 15, 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=January 14, 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001257/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/15/guam-radio-stations-accidental-emergency-alert-north-korea-threat|archive-date=January 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:2018 Hawaii missile alert (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|On January 13, 2018, a [[2018 Hawaii false missile alert|false alarm]] was issued warning of a missile threat to Hawaii.]]
* On January 13, 2018 at approximately 8:07&nbsp;a.m. [[Hawaii–Aleutian Time Zone|HST]], the [[Hawaii Emergency Management Agency]] (HI-EMA) mistakenly [[2018 Hawaii false missile alert|issued an emergency alert warning of a ballistic missile inbound threatening the region]], which was claimed to be not a drill. 38 minutes later, it was announced by HI-EMA and the [[Honolulu Police Department]] that the alert was a false alarm.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/01/13/breaking-news/emergency-officials-mistakenly-send-out-missile-threat-alert/|title=Emergency officials mistakenly send out missile threat alert|date=January 13, 2018|work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|access-date=January 13, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113192642/http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/01/13/breaking-news/emergency-officials-mistakenly-send-out-missile-threat-alert/|archive-date=January 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-missile-alert-today-emergency-management-system-incoming-ballistic-missile-warning-error/|title=Hawaii missile alert: False alarm warns residents of "ballistic missile threat"|access-date=November 27, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113231732/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-missile-alert-today-emergency-management-system-incoming-ballistic-missile-warning-error/|archive-date=January 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The incident came amidst heightened concern over the possibility that Hawaii could be targeted by North Korean missiles (in December 2017, Hawaii tested its missile sirens for the first time since the [[Cold War]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42677604|title=Hawaii sends out missile alert by mistake|date=2018|work=BBC News|access-date=January 13, 2018|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724172855/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42677604|archive-date=July 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> HI-EMA administrator [[Vern Miyagi]] stated that the incident was a "mistake made during a standard procedure at the change over of a shift".<ref name="fox011318">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/hawaiis-false-missile-threat-worker-feels-terrible-after-pushing-the-wrong-button|work=Fox News|title=Hawaii's scary false missile threat: Worker's push of the 'wrong button' to blame|first1=Nicole|last1=Darrah|first2=Kathleen|last2=Joyce|date=January 13, 2018|access-date=January 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114003504/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/13/hawaiis-scary-false-missile-threat-workers-push-wrong-button-to-blame.html|archive-date=January 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On August 31, 2022, amid [[2022 California wildfires|wildfires]], an immediate evacuation notice for the [[Castaic, California|Castiac, California]] area, which was issued by the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management and transmitted over NOAA Weather Radio, was mistakenly sent out to include the Eastern North Pacific Ocean and Port Conception to Guadalupe; the alert text repeatedly listed "Eastern North Pacific Ocean" or "Eastern North Pacific" twelve different times. Although a real emergency had occurred, the [[Ventura County Sheriff's Office]] stated that the alert had been issued for those areas in error.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ladden-Hall |first=Dan |date=2022-09-01 |title=Los Angeles Evacuation Order Broadcast on TV in Error |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/los-angeles-evacuation-order-broadcast-on-tv-was-made-in-error |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=The Daily Beast |language=en |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906004857/https://www.thedailybeast.com/los-angeles-evacuation-order-broadcast-on-tv-was-made-in-error |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-01 |title=Evacuation notice broadcast countywide made 'in error' |url=https://signalscv.com/2022/09/evacuation-notice-broadcast-countywide-made-in-error/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Santa Clarita Valley Signal |language=en-US |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906004901/https://signalscv.com/2022/09/evacuation-notice-broadcast-countywide-made-in-error/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Cybersecurity breaches ===
EAS equipment has been the subject of various [[Cyberattack|cyberattacks]], caused primarily by participants using insecure or factory default passwords on their encoders and decoders, and outdated software containing [[Patch (computing)|unpatched]] [[Vulnerability (computing)|vulnerabilities]]. On multiple occasions, federal government departments have warned that failure to employ secure passwords and keep software updated made EAS equipment vulnerable to such attacks, which could result in disruptions such as false alerts.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=2022-08-05 |title="Huge flaw" threatens US emergency alert system, DHS researcher warns |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/08/huge-flaw-threatens-us-emergency-alert-system-dhs-researcher-warns/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806035649/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/08/huge-flaw-threatens-us-emergency-alert-system-dhs-researcher-warns/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" />

* In February 2013, the EAS equipment of several stations in [[Great Falls, Montana]] and [[Marquette, Michigan]] [[2013 Emergency Alert System hijackings|were breached]] to play a false alert allegedly warning of a [[zombie apocalypse]], using the lines "Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from the graves and attacking the living", the audio portion of the message taken straight from an EAS scenario (also known as an EAS mock) from [[YouTube]].<ref name=":14">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6EdnfHCVEo |title=Zombie Emergency Alert System Warning (EAS) |date=2008-09-26 |last=Tyreehot |access-date=2025-10-30 |via=YouTube}}</ref> It was identified that the attack had come from an "overseas" source. Furthermore, the broadcasters had neglected to change the factory default logins or passwords on their equipment. Because of this, the FCC, FEMA, equipment manufacturers, as well as trade groups, including the [[Michigan Association of Broadcasters]], urged broadcasters to change their passwords and to recheck their security measures.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/zombie_apocalypse_now_michigan.html | title=Zombie apocalypse now? Michigan TV stations' Emergency Alert Systems hacked with notice of walking dead | date=February 12, 2013 | website=Mlive.com | access-date=February 12, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214013017/http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/zombie_apocalypse_now_michigan.html | archive-date=February 14, 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioworld.com/industry/wzzy-hacked-broadcasts-zombie-warning-in-indiana|title=WZZY Hacked, Broadcasts Zombie Warning in Indiana|date=March 3, 2017|website=Radio World|language=en-US|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808174947/https://www.radioworld.com/industry/wzzy-hacked-broadcasts-zombie-warning-in-indiana|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/13/police-believe-zombie-hoax-attacks-linked/1915921/|title=Police say Mont. TV zombie hoax likely linked to others|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808174947/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/13/police-believe-zombie-hoax-attacks-linked/1915921/|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2013-02-14-chi-zombie-hack-blamed-on-easy-passwords-20130214-story.html|title=Zombie hack blamed on easy passwords|agency=Reuters|website=chicagotribune.com|language=en-US|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808193235/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2013-02-14-chi-zombie-hack-blamed-on-easy-passwords-20130214-story.html|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/02/12/171814715/zombie-alert-also-aired-in-michigan-hacking-traced-to-overseas-source|title='Zombie Alert' Also Aired In Michigan; Hacking Traced To Overseas Source|website=NPR.org|date=February 12, 2013|language=en|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808174945/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/02/12/171814715/zombie-alert-also-aired-in-michigan-hacking-traced-to-overseas-source|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live|last1=Memmott|first1=Mark}}</ref>
** In a related incident, [[WIZM-FM]] in [[La Crosse, Wisconsin]] accidentally triggered the EAS on television station [[WKBT-DT]] by airing a recording of the false message during its morning show. The relayed audio included the hosts' reactions and laughter to the clip.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/tv-zombie-attack-warning-a-false-alarm/article_96312830-759f-11e2-bb49-0019bb2963f4.html|title=TV zombie-attack warning a false alarm|last=Hubbuch|first=Chris|website=La Crosse Tribune|date=February 13, 2013 |language=en|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808174946/https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/tv-zombie-attack-warning-a-false-alarm/article_96312830-759f-11e2-bb49-0019bb2963f4.html|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On February 28, 2017, [[WZZY]] in [[Winchester, Indiana]] was hijacked in a nearly identical manner, playing the same "dead bodies" audio from the February 2013 incidents. The incident prompted a public response from the Randolph County Sheriff's Department clarifying that there was no actual emergency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fox59.com/2017/03/01/hackers-take-over-randolph-county-radio-stations-alert-system-send-out-messages-about-fake-zombie-attack/|title=Hackers take over Randolph County radio station's alert system, send out messages about fake zombie attack|work=Fox59.com|date=March 1, 2017|access-date=March 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308021407/http://fox59.com/2017/03/01/hackers-take-over-randolph-county-radio-stations-alert-system-send-out-messages-about-fake-zombie-attack/|archive-date=March 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wcpo.com/news/state/state-indiana/hacked-radio-station-reports-zombie-attack-and-disease-outbreak-in-randolph-county-indiana|title=WZZY 98.3FM zombie outbreak: Hacked radio station reports zombie attack in Randolph County, Indiana|first=PJ|last=O'Keefe|work=WCPO.com|date=March 3, 2017|access-date=March 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309033751/http://www.wcpo.com/news/state/state-indiana/hacked-radio-station-reports-zombie-attack-and-disease-outbreak-in-randolph-county-indiana|archive-date=March 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In January 2020, ''Security Ledger'' published an investigation finding that at least 50 EAS decoders by Digital Alert Systems had not been patched for a security vulnerability (use of a shared [[Secure Shell|SSH]] [[Public-key cryptography|key]]) found by [[IOActive]] in 2013.<ref name=":10">{{cite web|url=https://securityledger.com/2020/01/seven-years-later-scores-of-eas-systems-sit-un-patched-vulnerable/|title=Seven Years Later, Scores of EAS Systems sit Un-patched, Vulnerable|date=January 27, 2020|website=The Security Ledger|language=en-US|access-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129041238/https://securityledger.com/2020/01/seven-years-later-scores-of-eas-systems-sit-un-patched-vulnerable/|archive-date=January 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On February 20, 2020, the EAS equipment of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]-based provider [[Wave Broadband]] was hijacked, causing approximately 3,000 customers in [[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson County]] to receive several false alerts (including a "Radiological Hazard Warning"), which contained irrelevant and comedic messages (including one suggesting that the provider change its passwords) and alert audio referencing [[internet meme]]s and [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] streamer [[Vinesauce]] (who was unaffiliated with this breach).<ref>{{cite web|title=Wave cable meme hack affects 3,000 Jefferson County residents|url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/wave-cable-meme-hack-affects-3000-jefferson-county-residents,68027|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406174429/https://www.ptleader.com/stories/wave-cable-meme-hack-affects-3000-jefferson-county-residents,68027|archive-date=April 6, 2020|access-date=April 6, 2020|website=Port Townsend Leader|date=February 26, 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Graham|title=Hackers target cable TV alert system and send false messages|url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/false-alert-indicating-radiological-incident-appeared-tv-jefferson-county/KJI2SNVTZBE6DAOMYWFOQK47SM/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=KIRO|date=February 22, 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225614/https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/false-alert-indicating-radiological-incident-appeared-tv-jefferson-county/KJI2SNVTZBE6DAOMYWFOQK47SM/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 2 and 3, 2020, a legitimate Required Monthly Test was displayed with a message ("AIGHT IM DONE U CAN REST NOW. MR GERDE WAS HERE") that had also appeared in the hijack: a company official stated that this was a remnant of the attack that had not yet been removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/wave-false-alert-remains-mystery-after-residual-message-airs-again,68246|title=Wave false alert remains mystery after 'residual' message airs again|website=Port Townsend Leader|date=March 11, 2020 |language=en|access-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406174433/https://www.ptleader.com/stories/wave-false-alert-remains-mystery-after-residual-message-airs-again,68246|archive-date=April 6, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/no-emergency-false-alert-over-radiological-incident-sent-by-jefferson-county/281-568c86b3-8aae-4df0-b3b3-5dd4c800e0e8|title=False TV alert over 'radiological hazard' concerns Washington emergency officials|website=[[KING-TV|KING5.com]]|date=February 21, 2020|access-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327050956/https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/no-emergency-false-alert-over-radiological-incident-sent-by-jefferson-county/281-568c86b3-8aae-4df0-b3b3-5dd4c800e0e8|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Tone usage outside of alerts ===
To protect the integrity of the system, and prevent false activations, the FCC prohibits the use of actual or simulated EAS/WEA tones and attention signals outside of genuine alerts, tests, or authorized [[public service announcement]]s, especially when they are used "to capture audience attention during advertisements; dramatic, entertainment, and educational programs" (even if the footage is documentation of an event where an actual alert was issued). Broadcasters who misuse the tones may be sanctioned (including being required to partake in compliance measures) and fined.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/fcc-fines-walking-dead-jimmy-kimmel-live-others-hit-with-fcc-fines-for-misuing-emergency-alert-tones-1202669390/|title='Walking Dead', 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' & Others Hit With FCC Fines For "Misusing" Emergency Alert Tones|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=August 16, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=August 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816195852/https://deadline.com/2019/08/fcc-fines-walking-dead-jimmy-kimmel-live-others-hit-with-fcc-fines-for-misuing-emergency-alert-tones-1202669390/|archive-date=August 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] used the attention tones in their song from their 2011 album [[Worship Music (album)|"Worship Music";]] ''"Fight 'Em Till You Can't"'', specifically at the beginning.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzDmgn-G2FM |title=ANTHRAX - Fight ´Em ´Til You Can´t (OFFICIAL TRACK) |date=2011-06-24 |last=Nuclear Blast Records |access-date=2025-10-30 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The spoken lyrics right after the attention tones are taken from an EAS scenario on YouTube.<ref name=":14" />
* Tones from the EAS were used in the trailer for the 2013 film ''[[Olympus Has Fallen]]''; cable providers were fined $1.9 million by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 3, 2014, for misuse of EAS tones.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/false-alarm-olympus-movie-ad-draws-19m-fine |title=False alarm 'Olympus' movie ad draws $1.9M fine |work=The Big Story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231204456/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/false-alarm-olympus-movie-ad-draws-19m-fine |archive-date=December 31, 2014  }}</ref> An event similar to this previously occurred in November 2013, when [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] was fined $25,000 for the use of EAS tones in a ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'' advertisement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/6/5072954/fcc-fines-tbs-25000-for-simulating-emergency-alert-in-conan-ad|title=FCC fines TBS $25,000 for simulating emergency alert tones in 'Conan' ad|last=Welch|first=Chris|date=November 6, 2013|website=The Verge|access-date=August 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071515/https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/6/5072954/fcc-fines-tbs-25000-for-simulating-emergency-alert-in-conan-ad|archive-date=December 14, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* During the October 24, 2014 episode of the syndicated radio show ''[[The Bobby Bones Show]]'', host [[Bobby Bones]] played audio from the 2011 national test as part of a rant about a genuine test from Nashville's Fox affiliate, [[WZTV]], that interrupted Game 2 of the [[2014 World Series]] on October 22. The errant Emergency Action Notification was relayed to some broadcasters and cable systems—particularly those not configured to reject EAN messages that did not match the current date. On May 19, 2015, [[iHeartMedia]], who distributes the show and owns its flagship station [[WSIX-FM]], was fined $1 million for the incident. The company was also ordered to implement a three-year compliance plan to avoid any further incidents, including removing all EAS tones or similar-sounding noises from its audio production libraries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/05/multi-state-cascade-of-false-emergency-alerts-nets-1-million-fine/|title="Multi-state cascade" of false emergency alerts nets $1 million fine|last=Brodkin|first=Jon|date=May 19, 2015|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529195432/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/05/multi-state-cascade-of-false-emergency-alerts-nets-1-million-fine/|archive-date=May 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/nerw-extra-20141027/|title=NERW Extra: A Few Words About EAS|first=Scott|last=Fybush|work=Fybush Media|date=October 28, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030052300/http://www.fybush.com/nerw-extra-20141027/|archive-date=October 30, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* From August 4 to 6, 2016, [[Tegna, Inc.]]-owned [[NBC]] affiliate [[WTLV]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]] aired an ad several times during NBC's primetime coverage of the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] produced by the marketing department of the [[National Football League]]'s [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] featuring out-of-sequence EAS tones over Jaguars training camp footage and a voiceover noting "this is not a test, this is an emergency broadcast transmission...seek shelter immediately", along with the on-screen text "the storm is coming". The ad aired four times before station compliance authorities pulled the advertisement after the [[local news]] industry blog FTVLive criticized the station for carrying it, especially during the peak of the [[Atlantic hurricane season]]. FTVLive's piece would be noted by the FCC in their decision against WTLV rendered on May 30, 2017, when it was given a $55,000 fine for carrying the offending Jaguars ad.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jacksonville's WTLV TV-12 owner fined for use of Emergency Alert tones in Jaguars promo|url=http://jacksonville.com/metro/business/2017-05-30/jacksonville-s-wtlv-tv-12-owner-fined-use-emergency-alert-tones-jaguars|last=Dixon|first=Drew|date=May 30, 2017|work=[[The Florida Times-Union]]|access-date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606172239/http://jacksonville.com/metro/business/2017-05-30/jacksonville-s-wtlv-tv-12-owner-fined-use-emergency-alert-tones-jaguars|archive-date=June 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=In the Matter of TEGNA Inc., parent of Multimedia Holdings Corporation Licensee of Station WTLV, Jacksonville, Florida|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=May 30, 2017|url=https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-424A1.pdf|access-date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708013137/https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-424A1.pdf|archive-date=July 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The FCC issued several fines relating to EAS tone usage in August 2019, including [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] being fined $395,000 for using wireless emergency alert tones multiple times during a ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!|Jimmy Kimmel Live]]'' sketch, [[AMC Networks]] being fined $104,000 for using the tones in ''[[The Walking Dead (TV series)|The Walking Dead]]'' episode "[[Omega (The Walking Dead)|Omega]]", [[Discovery, Inc.|Discovery Inc.]] being fined $68,000 for including footage of an actual WEA activation during a ''[[Lone Star Law]]'' episode filmed during [[Hurricane Harvey]], and [[Meruelo Group]] was fined $61,000 for including an EAS-like tone during a radio advertisement for [[KDAY]] and [[KDEY-FM]]'s morning show.<ref name=":2" />
* On September 9, 2019, the FCC proposed a $272,000 fine against [[CBS]] for using simulated EAS tones in the ''[[Young Sheldon]]'' episode, "A Mother, A Child, and a Blue Man's Backside".<ref>{{cite news|url = https://deadline.com/2019/09/young-sheldon-fcc-proposes-six-figure-fine-for-misuse-of-emergency-alert-tone-1202729605/|title = 'Young Sheldon': FCC Proposes Six-Figure Fine For Misuse Of Emergency Alert Tone|work = [[Deadline Hollywood]]|date = September 9, 2019|accessdate = May 13, 2021|last = Pedersen|first = Erik|archive-date = April 27, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210427233523/https://deadline.com/2019/09/young-sheldon-fcc-proposes-six-figure-fine-for-misuse-of-emergency-alert-tone-1202729605/|url-status = live}}</ref> CBS defended the statement, saying that the tones' usage was a "dramatic portrayal", and that it was an "integral part of the storyline about a family's visceral reaction to a life-threatening emergency". The show's sound editors achieved the effect by downloading EAS tones from YouTube and modifying the volume of the tone. CBS passed the edited tone through three quality rooms equipped with EAS decoders and pre-screened the episode to make sure it did not trigger an actual alert. Also, the show's dialogue was used to obscure some elements of the alert. However, the FCC insisted that the modified tone still sounded like a normal EAS tone, despite the volume being lowered and the tone being cut short in duration. It also said that the pre-screening process did not excuse an unauthorized usage of the EAS tones.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.insideradio.com/free/cbs-fined-272-000-after-fcc-concludes-it-misused-eas-tones/article_f61e08c0-d390-11e9-a8d0-3f5292413ba0.html|title = CBS Fined $272,000 After FCC Concludes It Misused EAS Tones|work = Inside Radio|date = September 10, 2019|accessdate = May 12, 2021|archive-date = October 18, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201018025822/http://www.insideradio.com/free/cbs-fined-272-000-after-fcc-concludes-it-misused-eas-tones/article_f61e08c0-d390-11e9-a8d0-3f5292413ba0.html|url-status = live}}</ref> 
* On April 7, 2020, the FCC proposed a $20,000 fine against New York City radio station [[WNEW-FM]], for using the attention signal during its morning show on October 3, 2018 as part of a skit discussing the National Periodic Test held later that day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185965/fcc-proposes-20000-fine-against-wnew-for-using-eas-tones/|title=FCC Proposes $20,000 Fine Against WNEW For Using EAS Tones|date=April 7, 2020|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408082534/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185965/fcc-proposes-20000-fine-against-wnew-for-using-eas-tones/|archive-date=April 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In January 2023, the FCC proposed a $504,000 fine against [[Fox Corporation]] for using EAS tones during a promo broadcast on ''[[Fox NFL Sunday]]'' in November 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Tom Butts |date=2023-01-25 |title=FCC Proposes $504K Fine on Fox for EAS Violations |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-proposes-fining-fox-dollar504k-for-eas-violations |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=TVTechnology |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207105942/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-proposes-fining-fox-dollar504k-for-eas-violations |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On October 17, 2024, the FCC proposed a $146,976 fine against [[ESPN]] for misusing the EAS tones during a promotional segment for the start of the [[2023–24 NBA season]] that aired during the week of October 20–24, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-17 |title=FCC PROPOSES FINE AGAINST ESPN FOR IMPROPER TRANSMISSIONS OF EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TONES |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-406716A1.pdf |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=FCC News}}</ref>

In an opposite move, in 2013 the FCC granted a one-year waiver for a [[public service announcement|PSA]] pertaining to the [[Wireless Emergency Alerts]] system, with assurance that the tones used in the PSA contained a different set of codes designed not to activate EAS receivers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stimson |first1=Leslie |title=ABA Tells Members It's Okay to Air New WEA PSAs |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/-aba-tells-members-its-okay-to-air-new-wea-psas |website=TV Tech |access-date=April 28, 2023 |date=June 3, 2013 |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428222515/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/-aba-tells-members-its-okay-to-air-new-wea-psas |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Testing errors ===
* On October 19, 2008, [[KWVE-FM]] in [[San Clemente, California]] accidentally initiated a Required Monthly Test when it meant to conduct a Required Weekly Test. Furthermore, an operator aborted the test mid-way through the broadcast (failing to broadcast the end-of-message tone), causing all area outlets to broadcast KWVE-FM's programming until those stations took their equipment offline.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2053A1.pdf | title=In the Matter of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, Inc., FM Radio Station KWVE San Clemente, California: Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture Adopted: September 15, 2009 Released: September 17, 2009 | date=December 6, 2016 | publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] | access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> On September 15, 2009, the FCC fined the station's owner, [[Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa]], $5,000. After the fine was levied, various state broadcast associations in the United States submitted joint letters to the FCC, protesting against the fine, saying that the commission could have handled the matter better.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://radiomagonline.com/currents/news/state-broadcast-associations-appeal-kwve-eas-fine-fcc-1009/ | title=State Broadcast Associations Appeal KWVE EAS Fine to FCC | work=Radio | date=October 9, 2009 | access-date=October 2, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602015453/http://radiomagonline.com/currents/news/state-broadcast-associations-appeal-kwve-eas-fine-fcc-1009/ | archive-date=June 2, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> On November 13, 2009, the FCC rescinded its fine against KWVE-FM, but had still admonished the station for broadcasting an unauthorized RMT, as well as omitting the code to end the test.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://radiomagonline.com/currents/news/fcc-dismisses-kwve-eas-fine-1117/ | title=FCC Dismisses KWVE EAS Fine | work=Radio Magazine | date=November 17, 2009 | access-date=October 2, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715150505/http://radiomagonline.com/currents/news/fcc-dismisses-kwve-eas-fine-1117/ | archive-date=July 15, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* On September 28, 2016, an emergency alert was broadcast by [[WKTV]] in [[Utica, New York]] that contained a Hazardous Materials Warning for the entire United States. The message contained a non-sequitur quote from the [[Dr. Seuss]] book ''[[Green Eggs and Ham]]'', "Would you. Could you. On a train?" WKTV apologized and stated that the alert was "an automated test [from FEMA] which was not intended for public display." A FEMA representative stated that its decoders had been mistakenly "configured to poll a test and development message aggregator instead of or in addition to the production message aggregator", with the test server having used the ''Green Eggs and Ham'' quote as placeholder text. The error was also connected to conspiracy theories surrounding [[2016 Hoboken train crash|a train crash in New Jersey that occurred the next day]], which claimed that the alert was a forewarning of the incident.<ref>{{cite web |title=New York Television Station Broadcasts Bizarre Warning Before Hoboken Train Crash |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/new-york-television-station-broadcasts-bizarre-warning-before-hoboken-train-crash/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Snopes.com |date=October 3, 2016 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714235712/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/new-york-television-station-broadcasts-bizarre-warning-before-hoboken-train-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On September 21, 2017, a technical glitch in another scheduled test by KWVE caused the end-of-message tone to be omitted, causing regional participants (particularly [[Charter Communications|Charter]] and [[Cox Cable]] systems in [[Orange County, California|Orange County]]) to simulcast a portion of [[Chuck Swindoll]]'s ''Insight for Living'' program. Some viewers speculated that the system had been hijacked, as the portion of the program relayed (where Swindoll was discussing the Bible verse [[2 Timothy 3|2 Timothy 3:1]], and stated, "Realize this, extremely violent times will come.") could be insinuated out of context as discussing an impending apocalypse.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/21/end-of-world-prediction-interrupts-tv-broadcasts-in-orange-county/|title=End-of-world prediction interrupts TV broadcasts in Orange County|date=September 21, 2017|work=Orange County Register|access-date=September 30, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929091948/http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/21/end-of-world-prediction-interrupts-tv-broadcasts-in-orange-county/|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/22/end-of-world-prediction-heard-on-o-c-television-channels-linked-to-equipment-failure/|title=End-of-world message on TV was just glitch from a test of the Emergency Alert System|date=September 23, 2017|work=Orange County Register|access-date=September 30, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930084253/http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/22/end-of-world-prediction-heard-on-o-c-television-channels-linked-to-equipment-failure/|archive-date=September 30, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/09/22/extremely-violent-times-will-come-ominous-emergency-alert-was-just-a-tv-test-gone-awry/|title='Extremely violent times will come!': Ominous emergency alert was just a TV test gone awry|last=Bever|first=Lindsey|date=September 22, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=September 30, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930084821/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/09/22/extremely-violent-times-will-come-ominous-emergency-alert-was-just-a-tv-test-gone-awry/|archive-date=September 30, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On January 22, 2025, the FCC proposed a $369,190 fine against [[KCWX]] in [[Fredericksburg, Texas]] for failing to properly transmit the nationwide EAS tests in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The FCC accused the station of numerous violations of EAS regulations, including rebroadcasting alert tones from previous years, simulating test messages instead of the authorized test message, and falsely claiming to have properly received the tests when it had not.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-133A1.pdf|title=NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE|access-date=2025-09-18}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|1990s}}<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER-->
* [[Alert Ready]] (Canada)
* [[Cell Broadcast]]
* [[Digital Emergency Alert System]] (DEAS)
* [[Earthquake Early Warning (Japan)]]
* [[Emergency override system]]
* [[Emergency population warning]]
* [[Emergency Public Warning System]]
* [[Flash Flood Guidance Systems]]
* [[HANDEL]] (UK's former National Attack Warning System)
* [[ICANN]]'s TEAC (Transfer Emergency Action Contact) channel in cases of [[Domain hijack|URL hijacking]]
* [[J-Alert]] (Japan)
* [[Mexican Seismic Alert System]] (Mexico's Earthquake Early Warning System, which also employs Specific Area Message Encoding technology)
* [[National Severe Weather Warning Service]]
* [[National Warning System]]
* [[NOAA Weather Radio]]
* [[Nuclear football]]
* [[Nuclear MASINT]]
* [[Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service]]
* [[ShakeAlert]]
* [[Specific Area Message Encoding]]
* [[Standard Emergency Warning Signal]] (Australia)
* [[Wartime Broadcasting Service]]
* [[Weatheradio Canada]]
* [[Wireless Emergency Alerts]] (WEA)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Emergency Alert System}}
* [https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/emergency-alert-system-eas Consumer facts page]
* [http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2004/FCC-04-189A1.html FCC notice regarding possible improvements]

{{Federal Communications Commission}}

[[Category:Emergency Alert System| ]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Broadcasting in the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War history of the United States]]
[[Category:Disaster preparedness in the United States]]
[[Category:Emergency population warning systems]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Civil defense in the United States]]
[[Category:United States communications regulation]]
[[Category:United States warning systems]]
[[Category:Nuclear warfare]]
[[Category:Tornado outbreaks]]