Important info from MPD:

[Pet Social Worker]

Some information to pass on to your friends and neighbors so they are all aware of this test...

Just so you are aware...on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test. This nationwide test will kick off at 2:00 p.m. (EST) - 11:00 am local time - and run concurrently across all time zones.

This system test is the first of its kind designed to broadcast a nationwide message to the American public. In the history of the country, nothing like it has been conducted on such a level. As you may be aware, there have been tests in the past, but not of this magnitude encompassing all regions of the Nation simultaneously. The three (3) minute test will run concurrently on all radio and TV band stations exceeding the previous messages broadcast which were anywhere from a 30 second to 1 minute message.

There is great concern in local police and emergency management circles about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation regarding the message might create panic. Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors so they are aware of the test.

Below is FEMA's website that will provide more information regarding this test:

http://blog.fema.gov/2011/10/help-us-spread-word-on-november-9-this.html

[PhxRsng]

I guess I'm old.  They used to have these all the time.  They even had one when I was home and I thought wow it's been years since I've heard that hideous noise.  Luckily it wasn't followed by incoherent screaming.

[Fritzydoodle]

TV and Radio stations are required by law to do a weekly and a monthly test of the EAS (Emergency Alert System).  Keeping the logs of these tests is a required PITA.  Don't have logs and have a knock on the door by the FCC field investigators - not good.

The problem being most people are on cable or satellite.  Not all providing channels (especially on satellite) carry the local EAS transponder signal.  It's all automated.  The system is installed just prior to the transmitter and fires when it gets the codes from the various sources (AM, FM and NOAA).  The requirements are for local tv stations not satellite providers.  So if you are watching KPHO on satellite - you'll see the alert.  Watch ESPN2 and no alert is seen. 

The system is due for a revision - there are lots of gaping holes. 

[Tigg]

The fact that police are expecting people to panic over hearing a buzzing followed, and preceeded by "...This is a test. This is only a test..." is frightening.

[CopaDave]

The fact that police are expecting people to panic over hearing a buzzing followed, and preceeded by "...This is a test. This is only a test..." is frightening.

It's not so much that, as that it's going to go on for over a minute.  People are used to the tone, followed by the short release tones, or a brief message and then the release tones.

Some inbreed will think it's the War of the Worlds all over again and start shooting up a Walmart somewhere.

[Tempting Fait]

The fact that police are expecting people to panic over hearing a buzzing followed, and preceeded by "...This is a test. This is only a test..." is frightening.

It's not so much that, as that it's going to go on for over a minute.  People are used to the tone, followed by the short release tones, or a brief message and then the release tones.

Some inbreed will think it's the War of the Worlds all over again and start shooting up a Walmart somewhere.

The same people that have to be told to turn on the heater and add a blanket to the bed to keep warm are the ones that will panic.

[the.pixie.stick.chick]

The same people that have to be told to turn on the heater and add a blanket to the bed to keep warm are the ones that will panic.

Wasn't that pathetic funny!?