The provincial government is conducting a test of its wireless-alerting system Wednesday at 1:55 p.m., part of the national Alert Ready system to improve public safety.
The test is designed to assess readiness for an actual emergency and determine whether adjustments need to be made. A similar test scheduled for May was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the test, an alert will be broadcast on radio and television stations, and on compatible wireless devices. The test message will read as follows: “This is a TEST of the British Columbia Emergency Alerting System, issued by Emergency Management British Columbia. This is ONLY a TEST. If this had been an actual emergency or threat, you would now hear instructions that would assist you to protect you and your family. For further information go to www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca. This is ONLY a TEST, no action is required.”
Alert Ready, the public branding for the National Public Alerting System, is a collaborative effort among federal-provincial-territorial governments and industry partners.
Mobile phones must be connected to a cellular network, be alert compatible, be within the alert area and have up-to-date cellular software in order to receive the alerts, which will be broadcast at no cost to the user.
For more information or to find out if your wireless device is compatible with the Alert Ready system, go to alertready.ca.
