Americans are being alerted in advance about a nationwide emergency alert test that will temporarily interrupt television and radio broadcasts across the country.
Federal officials say the exercise is scheduled to begin at about 2:20 p.m. ET on November 17, with December 3 set as the backup date. The advance warning is intended to help people recognize the transmission as a drill rather than a real emergency.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) links thousands of television and radio stations, cable networks and satellite providers so they can issue potentially lifesaving warnings. The system can also be used by the president to address the nation during a major crisis.
When the test begins, television viewers may see a full-screen notification or scrolling banner, along with loud alert tones and a spoken announcement.
The broadcast will clearly state that it is only a test, and regular programming will return once the exercise is complete.
The drill is designed to determine whether broadcasters can successfully receive and transmit a nationwide emergency message. It will also help officials find technical problems before the system is needed during an actual disaster.
The nationwide test comes as governments in several countries urge households to store basic supplies so they can manage during an emergency without immediate outside assistance.
The UK has advised residents to keep three days’ worth of essentials, including food and water. Former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino has also urged Americans to take similar emergency-preparedness advice seriously.
Federal officials announced the drill will begin at approximately 2.20pm ET on November 17, with December 3 as the backup date
The upcoming exercise will be carried out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
In a briefing, FEMA said: ‘At approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on November 17, 2026, radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers nationwide will interrupt normal programming to relay a test message.’
The announcement will say: ‘This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 2:20 to 2:50 hours ET.’
News of the test spread quickly online, prompting public concern because it was scheduled during a period of heightened global instability.
Authorities in the UK, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and France have encouraged households to keep food, water, medicine and other necessities on hand in case of an emergency.
Updated guidance issued in the UK this month recommends storing enough supplies to last three days. The advice is intended to help families cope if severe weather, cyberattacks or other disruptions affect essential services.
Sweden’s civil defense guidance advises households to be capable of managing independently for at least one week ‘in case of crisis or war.’
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Bongino, who left the FBI in January, responded to the recent warnings by encouraging Americans to take similar steps.
Former Deputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino is urging Americans to stockpile supplies for a potential disaster
‘Have yourself an emergency radio, have yourself some batteries, get yourself some emergency food, get yourself a rain collection and water filtration, some filtration tablets,’ he said on Monday.
‘Get your stuff today. Please. Do it for your family,’ Bongino added.
He said preparing ahead of time could ease anxiety and help families avoid running out of essential items when a crisis occurs.
‘There’s nothing wrong with being prepared. It’s not panicking or anything like that,’ he added.
Bongino made the comments after details emerged about FORTRESS, a plan intended to keep US forces operating and military bases supplied for at least 90 days, even if civilian infrastructure collapses.
‘The Pentagon’s doing its job to keep our national security safe and make “Fortress America.” You have to make “Fortress my house,” “Fortress my apartment.” Please, do it for everyone. Your neighbors are not going to have any extra food,’ he said on his podcast.
British officials have launched the Be Ready campaign, urging the public to prepare for a possible disaster by stockpiling supplies
The Pentagon’s emergency plan comes as several European countries issue urgent appeals for households to stockpile supplies in preparation for a potential disaster, although the warnings have not identified a specific emergency.
Bongino, 51, said that ‘panic kills’ and argued that preparing for a worst-case scenario is the best way to reduce the risk of being overwhelmed by a disaster.
‘I was not in the military. I haven’t been in combat, but ask your heroes who have been. They will tell you: you can’t panic,’ Bongino said.
The FORTRESS plan includes portable nuclear reactors, large battery systems and independent local power grids intended to keep US military bases operating during blackouts.
Civilian factories would also be prepared to shift to defense production, supported by stockpiles of ammunition, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts and medical supplies.
For critical military requirements, the plan calls for at least two qualified suppliers or production sources to reduce the risk that a single supplier failure could disrupt operations.
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News: ‘We don’t want to rely on standard civilian municipal infrastructure to run our national defense.’
