The Disaster Center-- Oct. 31, 2011 - 8:07 PM EDT -- First Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System is set for November 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM EDT. The test is estimated to last three minutes and a half minutes, which makes it longer than the standard warning by three minutes. Once the test is completed, regular programming will resume. Officials are urging the public to take the opportunity to review and update their emergency plans and replenish their emergency supplies. They may also wish to use the test as a chance to test their family's emergency plans.