Wednesday, May 8 ~ BC.
~ West Shore Voice News
On Wednesday May 8, 2019 there will be another Public Awareness Test by Alert Ready.
The test will be conducted at 1:55 pm PDT in BC. The test will be distributed on TV, radio and compatible wireless devices across Canada.
The last time a test was conducted (November 28, 2018, and once before that), it did not perform consistently for all smartphone users. The test is designed to assess the system’s readiness for an actual emergency and identify any adjustments that need to be made.
Alert Ready is Canada’s emergency alerting system. Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices.
| Province/Territory | Test Time on May 8, 2019 |
| Alberta | 1:55 PM MDT |
| British Columbia | 1:55 PM PDT |
| Manitoba | 1:55 PM CDT |
| New Brunswick | 10:55 AM ADT |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 10:55 AM NDT (10:25 AM ADT in Labrador) |
| Northwest Territories | 1:55 PM MDT |
| Nova Scotia | 1:55 PM ADT |
| Nunavut | 1:55 PM EDT |
| Ontario | No test due to Flooding |
| Prince Edward Island | 12:55 PM ADT |
| Quebec | No test due to Flooding |
| Saskatchewan | 1:55 PM CST |
| Yukon | 1:55 PM PDT |
The Alert Ready system was developed with several partners, including federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers. Together, these partners work to ensure Canadians receive alerts immediately and know when to take action to stay safe.
For general device compatibility visit www.alertready.ca . They recommend contacting your wireless service provider with specific inquiries regarding public alerting services and device compatibility.
Also on the Alert Ready website, there is a video about Alert Ready, and also an Alert Tone Audio that you can play.
In an actual emergency, if you hear that distinctive tone on television, radio or on your wireless device, you are to pay attention and take action right away.
This is Emergency Preparedness Week May 5 to 11. The BC government says “British Columbians only need to recall the last two flood and wildfire seasons to be reminded of some of the hazards in the province and the importance of being prepared.”
Planning ahead can help protect loved ones and reduce stress in the event of any kind of emergency, including a natural disaster. British Columbians are encouraged to make a plan, compile a kit and build resiliency in their homes and communities.
“The best way to keep safe in the event of an emergency is to ensure your household is ready in advance,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “PreparedBC has the resources British Columbians need to get started on making plans that will help them cope through the initial stages of any emergency.”
PreparedBC is getting back to basics this year by focusing on three key steps:
1. know the hazards in your local area;
2. make a plan to help keep focused and safe during an emergency; and
3. build an emergency kit and assemble grab-and-go bags.
“It’s fantastic to see communities around B.C. taking part in emergency preparedness activities,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “Tofino took a great step towards tsunami preparedness with its recent high-ground hike event and I applaud the many communities that are holding emergency preparedness events throughout the week.”
==== Links:
How to prepare an emergency plan and what to include in an emergency kit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreparedBC/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PreparedBC
For info during active provincial emergencies: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
Twitter: www.twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC
Wildfire Preparation: https://firesmartbc.ca/
Earthquake Preparation: https://www.shakeoutbc.ca/