Your mobile phone could be receiving its first test message for a new nation-wide emergency alert system in May.
B.C. is taking part in a new federal program that requires mobile phone networks to set up a new alert system that can reach any phone on an LTE or 4G mobile network with emergency messages. The federal law takes effect April 6 and public testing of the system is set to begin in the first week of May, says B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth.
B.C.鈥檚 plan is to use the system first in areas affected by tsunami alerts, Farnworth told Black Press. Communities such as Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Bella Coola, Port Alberni, Tofino an Ucluelet will retain their sirens and other existing tsunami warning systems, and cities like Victoria that have a local emergency text service will continue to use those. Local media alerts will also continue to be issued.
After the testing period, text message alerts will be extended province-wide for use in fire or flood evacuation messages and other emergency notices as well as tsunami alerts, Farnworth said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a silver bullet, because if you don鈥檛 have your phone turned on, you won鈥檛 get the message,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big improvement, it鈥檚 something provinces including British Columbia have been pushing for. But it doesn鈥檛 replace existing tools, it adds to the ability to provide better warnings.鈥�
The Emergency Info B.C. has information on how the system will work. It includes a link to the Alert Ready page where people can check to see if their mobile phone is compatible with the system.
The provincial emergency website www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca and its Twitter feed @emergencyinfobc will also continue to provide warnings and updates on public safety emergencies.
An earthquake off the coast of Kodiak, Alaska in the early hours of Jan. 23 triggered evacuations in coastal communities including Greater Victoria, Port Alberni, Prince Rupert and Kitimat. The wave turned out to be too small to be a threat and the alert was cancelled a few hours later.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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