NationStates Jolt Archive

We've all seen this from time to time (at least in the states) where they break into a show for a few minutes to test the emergency broadcast system. I don't think I've ever seen anything other than a test, however...until a few minutes ago.

I'm sitting here watching Adult Swim, and they break in with the tones, so I'm thinking it's just a test but the caption is "Please turn to channel 16 for an Emergency Child Abduction Alert." Never in my life have I seen it used for this purpose. So I flip over, and sure enough they're giving descriptions and whatnot for a child abduction which happened nearby about two hours ago.

Has anyone else seen this before? Or had the system used for something other than weather alerts?

...snip...

They didn't use it for September 11? :confused:

I've not seen it, but I've heard of it. I think it's actually a very good idea.

It's not just for weather!

It was created in the 60's to notify people mainly of possible attacks on the US on localities. Eventually it began to be used as other means of emergency notification, like certain weather events like tornados.
However, I have never seen used for child abductions. Once for weather though.

I've not seen it, but I've heard of it. I think it's actually a very good idea.

I agree, it's a good idea for a big country (landmass wise), however I don't think its necessary in Australia (although we are a big country in landmass) because we already have three government free to air channels that already run 24/7/365

They didn't use it for September 11? :confused:
Not that I saw.

I've actually never seen it used before.

Up here, they broke into the 9th inning of Game 4 of the World Series last year to do the Emergency Broadcast System test. Needless to say, there were many objects thrown at the television when that happened.


And to answer your question, I've seen the EBS used to warn us about snowstorms, and I've seen it used to notify about a child abduction one or two times.

I agree, it's a good idea for a big country (landmass wise), however I don't think its necessary in Australia (although we are a big country in landmass) because we already have three government free to air channels that already run 24/7/365

Sounds like a good idea.

They didn't use it for September 11? :confused:
I don't know...I was in school for it. I think they figured enough people were interrupted by the news...

From what I've seen, it only seems to be used for local emergencies. Come to think of it, I've only seen it used one other time when a gas station caught fire and produced toxic fumes. It was the best way to notify people to seal off their windows and doors for a while.

Does everyone in the USA have the TV on 24/7? If not, then this is not going to work very well in a real emergency. It is better than nothing I suppose, which is exactly what we have, nothing.

The EBS is a government mind control signal, it gives your brain microchips instructions on what to do.

I seem to recall an awful lot of these 'tests' during the last election week...

Does everyone in the USA have the TV on 24/7? If not, then this is not going to work very well in a real emergency. It is better than nothing I suppose, which is exactly what we have, nothing.
It also broadcasts over the radio, so chances are most people will get the alert.

It also broadcasts over the radio, so chances are most people will get the alert.

I watch about an average of 1 hour of TV a day (news, some sports events). I think that the last time I listened to the radio was about four years ago. (Radio is crap in this part of Brazil). So if it was a message for me, I'm dead.

I watch about an average of 1 hour of TV a day (news, some sports events). I think that the last time I listened to the radio was about four years ago. (Radio is crap in this part of Brazil). So if it was a message for me, I'm dead.

But you have to consider all the people you come into contact with in a day who do watch TV and listen to the radio. That's another powerful method of the dissemination of knowledge.

Well, considering I don't have TV in my house I don't see it anymore. When I actually used to have TV I saw tests and the occasional weather warning, but nothing else.

I watch about an average of 1 hour of TV a day (news, some sports events). I think that the last time I listened to the radio was about four years ago. (Radio is crap in this part of Brazil). So if it was a message for me, I'm dead.
we're talking about the US, not Brazil.