How often is the Electronic Alert System (EAS) broadcast during the first two hours and the next three hours?

• A. Every 30 minutes for the first two hours, then once an hour for the next three hours.
• B. Every 15 minutes for the first two hours, then hourly.
• C. Every hour for the first two hours, then every 30 minutes.
• D. Every 30 minutes for the entire five-hour period.

Answer: (A)

The timing pattern shown is designed to give the most current information when it’s changing quickly, then taper off as the situation stabilizes. Broadcasting every 30 minutes during the first two hours ensures updates reach the public promptly as new details emerge. After that, switching to hourly transmissions helps keep the information flowing without overloading channels or people with constant alerts once the situation has settled.

Other schedules would either flood the system and listeners with too many updates (every 15 minutes for five hours) or under-serve early on (hourly in the first two hours, which could miss rapid developments), or fail to adjust cadence at all (30 minutes for the entire five hours). The every-30-minutes-then-hourly pattern best matches the need for frequent early updates followed by a steady, manageable pace.