(RALEIGH) -- Every television and radio station in the country will be taken over for a few minutes Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 9 as the FCC and FEMA conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. Doug Hoell, Director of the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, said the system has been around a long time.

"The Emergency Alert System is a national alert and warning system that was established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.  It's something that we use on a regular basis on a regional, and state and local basis for things like weather alerts," said Hoell.

He added that it has been a while since the system has been tested on a national level.  Wednesday's nationwide test is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.