Crime & Safety

Auxiliary Police: This Is Only a Test

Nassau County Auxiliary Police Unit 116 advise residents about nationwide test of Emergency Alert System.

At 2 p.m. Wednesday the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will take place, but Nassau County's Auxiliary Police Unit 116 is worried that some residents may think there is truly a crisis.

“Depending on how updated the equipment being used by the broadcasters in our area [is] the crawler on the bottom of your T.V. screen may say 'THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ALERT' and not advise that it is only a test," Inspector Neal Rosenblatt, C.O. of Unit 116, stated in a notice sent to community members via email.

In hopes of avoiding any confusion, Unit 116 is trying to get the word out to residents that the test will be taking place on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. (EST). It will be transmitted via T.V. and radio stations, and similar to local emergency alert system tests, an audio message will interrupt programming indicating: “This is a test.” When the test is over, regular programming will resume. (If you have a NOAA radio on 162.55  mhz. you will also receive the test.)    

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is conducting the test to help ensure the nation is prepared for any type of hazard, and that the U.S. public can receive critical, vital and real-time information should it ever be needed. 

Unit 116 asks residents to please spread this infromation to everyone you know so no one is caught off-guard.    

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