Emergency Broadcast System Tests (Anyone noticing an increase lately?)

Rebelbase ^ | 10/17/02 | Rebelbase

[Rebelbase]

Last night in my area of NC there was a primetime test of the EBS, the first test i've seen in years on the television, let alone at primetime.

N. Theknow commented on the sniper press conference thread: "I live in VA and they have been cutting in with that emergency "test" that they said they're required to do once a month, every couple of days now. Hmmm... "

So at the risk of tinfoiling, has anyone else noticed this in their area?

[Rebelbase]

How about it?

[Rebelbase]

Ping.

[anniegetyourgun]

Haven't noticed any change here.

[Fighter@heart]

In recent weeks Southern Maryland has had a LOT of these "tests" going on. As a matter of fact there has been more lately than I EVER remember in the past!!

[litehaus]

Yes...have noticed more n more in the TAMPA Area............

[jiggyboy]

Have not noticed it in Silicon Valley.

I might add, though, that there are indeed other valid reasons to be testing the system. Possibly the scariest moment in my life was a few days after the TMI disaster in May of 1982. There had been much speculation about the top blowing off the reactor, giant clouds of radioactivity being unleashed, etc., and I was downwind. One fine evening after the local radio news had repeated the latest potential disaster, the EBS cut in the middle of a song: "This is not a test..." I just about screamed until they said it was because of a flash flood busting a small dam a few miles away.

[MrNeutron1962]

TMI Happened in March of 1979.

[Snowy]

I live in the Philly area. I noticed three tests in two days. This happened about two weeks ago. Two were on the TV, and one on the radio. I thought to myself that that was a bit odd. The TV tests were announced as "the weekly test", and the other one the next day was "the monthly test".

[SantosLHalper]

Emergency Broadcast System Tests (Anyone noticing an increase lately?)

Yeah. I live in SC and noticed it lastnight. First we had one on our local Fox station and then on Channel 36 Charlotte during Law and Order.

[RightWhale]

Yes, they are testing the system constantly, seems like more often since the Congress voted on Iraq. Don't know why they bother. When we get nuked and power goes out everywhere, most people won't have a radio after their car batteries go dead. Their car batteries will go dead right after their local gas station runs out of gasoline, which will be about an hour before their local supermarket runs out of anything that might be considered edible.

[Rebelbase]

I hear you loud and clear!

[Snowy]

[Constitution Day]

I haven't noticed anything here, but then again I haven't had much time for TV lately.

I'll ask Mrs. CD.

[Cynderbean]

I have noticed a drastic increase in the last few months. Even after 9-11 the emergency tests stayed unchanged and on the regular schedule. Now (in the Chicago area) you will see as many as 3 a week and at odd times opposed to the monthly test that used to happen the first Tuesday at 10am.

[newsperson999]

here near Peoria IL the local cable company is holdings its weekly EBS test almost daily

[Keith in Iowa]

Each station is required to test its equipment on a weekly basis, and each month, they are supposed to do a co-ordinated test, where the station responsible for initiating messages on the system sends a message, and stations down the line repeat it. The EAS system is also used in adverse weather situations. Chances are, you're just paying more attention to things and in reality, they are not broadcasting EAS alerts more than they were in the past.

[dhfnc]

You are correct! I live in NC and right in the middle of West Wing we had a test. I can not remember one in the past during primetime.

[Constitution Day]

[ravingnutter]

Yes, they have been scaring the crap out of me...the "tones" come on and then FINALLY they state it is a test. Happens at least once or twice a week, don't remember it being done that often before. As if my anxiety isn't bad enough already....