It seems that yesterday’s emergency alert test sent to mobile phones and devices reached less than half of the population.
We asked, on our Facebook page, if anyone had received the call. As of this morning, we received 380 replies and 181 of those said they received the emergency notification.
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) is the sole agency responsible for issuing emergency notifications on the Alert Ready system in the province, and will initially issue such alerts for tsunami threats only. The province is considering expanding the use of Alert Ready beyond tsunamis to include other hazards and emergencies in the future.
Wireless alerts will contain instructions for a safe response, and all British Columbians are urged to abide by these instructions without delay. In order to receive alerts, mobile phones must be connected to a cellular network, be alert-compatible and within the alert area. They will be broadcast automatically at no cost to the user. Wireless-compatibility information is available at: www.alertready.ca
These alerts will complement the Provincial Emergency Notification System (PENS), social media and, at the community level, sirens, subscription-based text message alerts and other mechanisms.
Quick Facts:
- The National Public Alerting System (NPAS), publicly branded as Alert Ready, is a collaborative initiative between federal-provincial-territorial governments and industry partners. It provides a standard alerting capability to rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards to life.
- Currently, in accordance with a 2014 Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision, all radio and television broadcasters in Canada are mandated to broadcast public alerts. On April 6, 2017, the CRTC mandated wireless service providers to be capable of sending wireless public alerts in Canada by April 6, 2018.
Learn More:
To find out if your wireless device is compatible with the Alert Ready system, visit: www.AlertReady.ca
Alert Ready frequently asked questions: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/alert-ready-wireless-public-alerting/
PreparedBC is a one-stop shop for disaster readiness information. For tips on how to prepare an emergency plan and what to include in an emergency kit, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PreparedBC
For information during active provincial emergencies, visit www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC