[EAS] This just in: NCTA has asked FEMA to "postpone" the national test

[Richard Rudman]

I just received a copy of a letter from the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) to Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator.

The letter asks FEMA to postpone the November 9 test due to a large number of cable systems inability to display a visual indication that the event will be a test.

The letter states that while some work-arounds for this have them developed, deploying and testing them in the field at a large number of cable systems is not practical in time for the November 9 test.

The letter mentions the potential for serious consequences, the letter states, principally that deaf and hard-of-hearing people could mistakenly believe that the test is a national emergency.

The letter goes on to say regarding steps to avert test problems in the cable environment.