Do you recall that chilling moment of panic that surged through you whenever the Emergency Broadcast System was tested? For audiences across the United States on February 20, 1971, the feeling of impending doom became all too real. Unlike the usual calming preface of “this is a test…”, the alert that morning triggered widespread alarm as it echoed through TV and radio stations nationwide.

This alert was part of the system, initially dubbed the Emergency Action Notification System, which had been created in 1963. Its primary purpose was to ensure that U.S. presidents could swiftly communicate vital information to the American public during times of war, potential conflict, or significant national emergencies. This system was built to provide rapid communication in crisis scenarios, highlighting its critical role in national security.

Listeners had become accustomed to the occasional interruptions from test broadcasts disrupting their favorite programs. However, on that fateful Saturday in 1971, they were met with a far more sinister and alarming message that left many in shock and uncertainty.

In a haunting broadcast from Ft. Wayne news radio station WOWO, the alert declared: “This station has interrupted its regular program at the request of the United States government to participate in the emergency broadcast system.” This announcement indicated that the station would act as the official government news outlet for local residents, warning that other TV and radio stations might cease operations in response to the declared national emergency.

Similar alarming messages reverberated through an unknown number of stations across the country, leading to a state of chaos. As reported by Variety and echoed by History.com, “The composure of the broadcast industry – and the country – was in shambles.” Some stations complied with the emergency directive and went off the air, throwing listeners into panic, while others failed to respond, creating confusion and fear among the public.

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One terrified listener from Chicago recounted to the New York Times that day, “I was absolutely terrified. I just knew that we were at war and that the President would come on and explain what had happened.” Similarly, a woman in Florida shared her feelings, stating, “I didn’t do anything. I just sat there being scared,” illustrating the paralyzing fear that gripped the nation.

Returning to the Ft. Wayne scenario, host Bob Sievers urgently addressed the listeners on WOWO, clarifying that he and his colleagues were as bewildered as the audience regarding the nature of the emergency. He implored anxious listeners, possibly fearing a drastic escalation in the Vietnam War, not to overwhelm the station’s phone lines with calls.

“Again, ladies and gentlemen, we ask you please, please do not call us to ask what is the matter,” Sievers pleaded, his voice steady despite the surrounding chaos. “We are endeavoring to find out ourselves. We have received this official emergency action notification, with the proper identification indicating a national emergency. We know nothing at this moment; we are closely monitoring our wires for updates.” His words encapsulated the confusion and uncertainty that reigned at that moment.

Fortunately, the source of the alarm was not an imminent nuclear threat but rather a costly mistake. An employee at the National Emergency Warning Center had mistakenly included the wrong confirmation code word during that day’s planned test, falsely signaling to the stations that a true emergency was underway.

“I can’t imagine how the hell I did it,” reflected W.S. Eberhard, the employee in question, who had dedicated 15 years to the center, in a statement to the Times. It took 40 tense minutes for the center to identify and issue the correct code, clarifying that the alert was merely a test and not a real emergency.

“And so… If you think this hasn’t been something here at the studio,” a relieved Sievers informed WOWO listeners, assuring them that the danger was never real and explaining the nature of the unfortunate error. His calming presence was a welcome relief after a period of chaos and confusion.

Despite the eventual relief, many were far less forgiving of the situation. The Times reported on February 22, noting that the center attributed the unauthorized declaration of a national emergency to “human error.” This led to critical questions, such as: “Could similar ‘human error’?here or in the Soviet Union?trigger American or Soviet weapons into action?” This raised significant concerns about the reliability of emergency response systems subject to human fallibility.

In response to the incident on February 20, 1971, the National Emergency Warning Center implemented substantial changes to improve the security and reliability of its alert systems. As highlighted by History.com, these reforms included the introduction of the distinctive “jarring, screeching sounds” that accompany tests. These tones are designed to transmit specific data to broadcasters, indicating the nature of the situation and clarifying whether the transmission is a test or a legitimate emergency alert.

Since that incident, there has not been a national alert error of this magnitude; however, a few false alarms at local or regional levels have occurred. In 1997, the system underwent significant upgrades and was rebranded as the Emergency Alert System, which included enhancements to improve its reliability. In 2018, the government conducted its inaugural test of a national cell phone-based “Presidential Alert” system, showcasing ongoing efforts to enhance communication in times of crisis.

Listen to WOWO’s Emergency Broadcast Alert from February 20, 1971