Article By Frank Bergman
Americans will see television and radio programming interrupted during a nationwide emergency alert test on November 17, as federal officials assess the system used to deliver warnings during a major crisis.
The drill is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern, with December 3 designated as the backup date.
Viewers could see full-screen notices or scrolling banners accompanied by loud alert tones and a spoken announcement.
The broadcast will identify itself as a test before regular programming resumes.
The announcement comes as former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino urges Americans to build emergency supplies and prepare their households for disruptions to essential services.
FEMA to Test Nationwide Warning Network
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct the test in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“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,” FEMA said.
The Emergency Alert System connects thousands of broadcasters and providers, allowing emergency messages to reach audiences across the country.
It also enables the president to address Americans during a national emergency.
The exercise will test whether participating systems can receive and relay a national message, exposing technical failures before the network is needed during a real disaster.
Bongino: “Get Your Stuff Today”
Bongino has urged Americans to take household preparedness seriously as governments overseas encourage citizens to maintain emergency reserves.
“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,” Bongino said Monday.
“Get your stuff today,” he added.
“Please. Do it for your family.”
He emphasized that preparing ahead of time is a practical precaution rather than a reason to panic.
“There’s nothing wrong with being prepared,” Bongino said.
“It’s not panicking or anything like that.”
His advice focuses on having food, drinking water, and reliable information available before a blackout or supply disruption makes them difficult to obtain.
Military Prepares Bases to Operate Without Civilian Infrastructure
Bongino’s appeal followed details of FORTRESS America, the initiative intended to keep major U.S. military installations operating for at least 90 days without external support.
The plan includes portable nuclear reactors, large battery systems, and independent local power grids capable of sustaining operations during blackouts.
It also calls for reserves of ammunition, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts, and medical supplies, alongside preparations for civilian factories to shift into military production.
Critical requirements would have at least two qualified supply or production pathways, reducing dependence on any single source.
“We don’t want to rely on standard civilian municipal infrastructure to run our national defense,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News.
Bongino argued that families should apply the same principle of resilience at home.
On his podcast, Bongino said:
“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.”
Overseas Governments Urge Emergency Supplies
Britain’s updated guidance recommends three days of essentials, including food, water, medicine, and other supplies needed if severe weather, cyberattacks, blackouts, or infrastructure failures disrupt daily life.
Sweden advises households to prepare to manage independently for at least a week, including during crisis or war.
Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, and France have also encouraged emergency readiness.
The November 17 broadcast is a scheduled systems test. Its purpose is to make sure warnings reach Americans when needed.
Meanwhile, Bongino’s message is that families should prepare before those warnings concern a real emergency.
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