Tuesday, November 26, 2019 ~ BC
~ West Shore Voice News
On Wednesday November 27, 2019 there will be another Public Awareness Test to wireless devices by Alert Ready, says the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Emergency Management BC
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 as part of the national Alert Ready system to improve public safety in the event of emergency.
This is part of a biannual test of the national Alert Ready system, which was launched in BC on April 6, 2018. Two previous tests were on November 28, 2018 and May 8, 2019.
This testing is designed to assess the system’s readiness for an actual emergency and identify any adjustments that need to be made.
During the test, an alert will be broadcast on radio and television stations, as well as on compatible wireless devices.
The test message will read:
“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.“
The National Public Alerting System, 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.
- To receive alerts, mobile phones must be connected to a cellular network, be alert compatible, be within the alert area and have up-to-date cellular software. Alerts will be broadcast automatically at no cost to the user.
- 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.
- British Columbians may participate in a short online survey following the test to help determine the reach of the Alert Ready test. This survey is administered by the Public Emergency Alerting Services Inc.:
- Survey link in English: https://peasi.com/emergency-alert-test-survey.html
- Survey link in French: https://peasi.com/enquete-de-test-dalerte-durgence.html
Learn More:
To find out if your wireless device is compatible with the Alert Ready system, visit: www.alertready.ca
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: http://www.preparedbc.ca
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/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