:Emergency Alert System

{{Main|Specific Area Message Encoding}}

Messages in the EAS are composed of four parts: a digitally encoded Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) header, an attention signal, an audio announcement, and a digitally encoded end-of-message marker.

File:Sage EAS Endec.jpg

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 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.fema.gov/national-public-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 }}

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.{{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}} The government has stated that the system would allow a president to speak during a national emergency within 10 minutes.{{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 }}{{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}}

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.

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."{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.

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 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 Hz and 960 Hz sine waves 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. The "two-tone" system is no longer required as of 1998, and is to be used only for audio alerts before EAS messages.{{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}} 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 AFSK "EOM", or End of Message, which is the text NNNN, preceded each time by the binary 10101011 calibration.

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.

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.{{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}}{{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}}

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 impaired, and to reduce the amount of technical jargon contained within the visual display.{{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}}{{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 }} The rules were enacted in September 2022, with a deadline of December 12, 2023, for compliance; 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.

The FCC requires all broadcast stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD), hereafter "EAS participants", to install and maintain FCC-certified EAS decoders and encoders at their control points or 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 Messages (EAN, formerly Emergency Action Notification) immediately (47 CFR Part 11.54).{{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}} Broadcasters traditionally have been allowed to opt out of relaying other alerts such as severe weather, and child abduction emergencies (AMBER Alerts) if they so choose. In practice, television stations with local news departments will usually interrupt regularly-scheduled programming during newsworthy situations (such as severe weather) to provide extended coverage.{{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}}

If possible, EAS participants must transmit the audio, and (where applicable) a visual display containing the extended text, from the associated CAP message.

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 computer.

{{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.

File:Required Monthly Test of Emergency Alert System in New Jersey.jpg

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 a.m. and local sunset during odd numbered months, and between local sunset and 8:30 a.m. during even-numbered months. Received monthly tests must be retransmitted within 60 minutes of receipt.{{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}} 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 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.{{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}}{{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}}

{{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 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.{{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}}{{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}} The national test would transmit and relay an Emergency Action Notification on November 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. EST.{{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 }}{{cite web | last=Clayton | first=Mark | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1109/Emergency-Alert-System-Why-US-is-doing-first-national-test-now | title=Emergency Alert System: Why US is doing first national test now | work=Christian Science Monitor | date=November 9, 2011 | access-date=December 15, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214082316/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1109/Emergency-Alert-System-Why-US-is-doing-first-national-test-now | archive-date=December 14, 2011 | url-status=live }}

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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

A second national test, the first classified as an NPT, occurred on September 28, 2016 as part of National Preparedness Month.{{cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2016/09/26/nationwide-emergency-alert-system-test-planned-september-28|title=Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 27 - FEMA.gov|website=www.fema.gov|access-date=September 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001210409/https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2016/09/26/nationwide-emergency-alert-system-test-planned-september-28|archive-date=October 1, 2016|url-status=live}}{{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 }} A third national periodic test occurred on September 27, 2017.{{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 }}

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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}

The sixth NPT was postponed to 2021 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic "out of consideration for the unusual circumstances and working conditions for those in the broadcast and cable industry."{{cite web|title=No National Test this Year for FEMA's Integrated Public Alert & Warning System|url=https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/06/19/no-national-test-year-femas-integrated-public-alert-warning-system|access-date=July 26, 2020|publisher=FEMA|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726053823/https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/06/19/no-national-test-year-femas-integrated-public-alert-warning-system|url-status=live}}

The sixth test occurred on August 11, 2021, at 2:20 pm EDT.{{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 }} 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 United States Government.{{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 }} On May 3, 2022, it was announced that the seventh NPT would not take place during 2022, and instead occur in early 2023.{{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 }}

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.{{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 }}

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 (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.{{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}} First sponsored by Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz in response to the 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

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 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 channels. 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 Soviet missile crisis, a 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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 resulted in only a nine-minute warning (the resulting tornado would kill 23 people).

The trend of cord cutting has led to concerns that viewers' lessened use of broadcast media in favor of streaming video services would inhibit their ability to receive emergency information (notwithstanding availability of alerts on mobile phones).{{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}}{{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}} The READI Act called for an inquiry into the distribution of alerts via internet platforms.

• On February 20th, 1971, an Emergency Action Notification (now National Emergency Message) was accidentally sent out because the wrong message was played. This originally was supposed to be a simple test of the then-used Emergency Broadcast System. They announced that this was a false alarm. The amount of stations affected is not entirely known; however, recordings of WOWO-AM and WCCO-AM activating the EAN are available to be listened to online. The WOWO recording features the station playing standby music while they try to get more information, which would waste valuable time during an actual emergency, while in the WCCO recording, the station immediately realized the wrong tape had been played, and listeners were told to disregard; the recording also contains the usage of the terms "CONELRAD Advisory" (CONELRAD being the Emergency Broadcast System's predecessor), and "Emergency Alert System" (the term being used erroneously, as the actual EAS was still 26 years away).
• 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.{{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}}
• On February 1, 2005 in Connecticut, an alert was 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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 }}
• On June 26, 2007 at 7:35 a.m. CDT, an Emergency Action Notification 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 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".{{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}}{{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 }}
• On May 19, 2010, NOAA Weather Radio and 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, but the transmission broadcast instead was a long period of silence, followed by a few words in Spanish. Umatilla County Emergency Management has stressed there was no emergency at the depot.{{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 }}
• On September 3, 2016, in the wake of Tropical Storm Hermine, an alert was displayed on television calling for the immediate evacuation of the entirety of 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.{{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}}{{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}}
• On May 23, 2017, at around 8:55 p.m. EDT, a Nuclear Power Plant Warning was issued for the Hope Creek and Salem Nuclear Power Plants. The alert was issued for Salem and 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.{{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=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 }}
• On August 15, 2017 at approximately 12:25 a.m. 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.{{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}}{{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}}

File:2018 Hawaii missile alert (cropped).jpg was issued warning of a missile threat to Hawaii.]]

• On January 13, 2018 at approximately 8:07 a.m. HST, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) mistakenly 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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).{{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}} HI-EMA administrator Vern Miyagi stated that the incident was a "mistake made during a standard procedure at the change over of a shift".{{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}}
• On August 31, 2022, amid wildfires, an immediate evacuation notice was mistakenly issued by the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management for Los Angeles, 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. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office stated that the alert had been issued in error.{{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 }}{{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 }}

EAS equipment has been the subject of various cyberattacks, caused primarily by participants using insecure or factory default passwords on their encoders and decoders, and outdated software containing unpatched 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.{{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 }}

• In February 2013, the EAS equipment of several stations in Great Falls, Montana and Marquette, Michigan 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". 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.{{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 }}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{See also|2013 Emergency Alert System Hijackings}}
• 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.{{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}}
• 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.{{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}}{{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}}
• 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 SSH key) found by IOActive in 2013.{{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}}
• On February 20, 2020, the EAS equipment of Washington-based provider Wave Broadband was hijacked, causing approximately 3,000 customers in 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 memes and Twitch streamer Vinesauce (who was unaffiliated with this breach).{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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=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}}

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 announcements, 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.{{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}}

• 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.{{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 }} An event similar to this previously occurred in November 2013, when TBS was fined $25,000 for the use of EAS tones in a Conan advertisement.{{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}}
• 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.{{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}}{{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}}
• 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.{{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}}{{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}}
• The FCC issued several fines relating to EAS tone usage in August 2019, including ABC being fined $395,000 for using wireless emergency alert tones multiple times during a Jimmy Kimmel Live sketch, AMC Networks being fined $104,000 for using the tones in The Walking Dead episode "Omega", 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.
• 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".{{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}} 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.{{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}}
• 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.{{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}}
• 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.{{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 }}
• 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.{{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}}

In an opposite move, in 2013 the FCC granted a one-year waiver for a 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.{{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 }}

• 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.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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 }}
• 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 a train crash in New Jersey that occurred the next day, which claimed that the alert was a forewarning of the incident.{{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 }}
• 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 and Cox Cable systems in 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 3:1, and stated, "Realize this, extremely violent times will come.") could be insinuated out of context as discussing an impending apocalypse.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

{{Portal|1990s}}

• Alert Ready (Canada)
• Cell Broadcast
• Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS)
• Earthquake Early Warning (Japan)
• 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 URL hijacking
• J-Alert (Japan)
• Local Access Alert
• 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)

{{reflist}}

{{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: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