Testing, testing ... will your mobile alert sound tomorrow?

Messages like this one from last year will be showing up
on Prince Rupert wireless devices tomorrow afternoon as
Alert Ready tests out their national warning system

Tomorrow afternoon will mark another test for the British Columbia wireless alert system, with the test in this province to be part of the National Alert Ready System to improve public safety in the event of any emergency.

Tomorrow's test which will also be broadcast on television and radio stations will see a mobile alert message delivered to those phones that are compatible for the service.

At 1:55 PM on Wednesday, an alarm and the following Text will be delivered to our phones and mobile devices.


“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.” .

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.

As part of tomorrow's test, the Province is also looking for some feedback from residents in British
Columbia, with a survey to determine the reach of the Alert Ready Test.

You can access that survey here.

To find out if your phone is compatible with the Alert Ready program see their notes here, more background on the program is also available from that link.

Through the Prepared BC program, the province also has extensive information available as to what to do in the event of an emergency, you can learn more here.

For more note on tomorrow's test, see this information update from the Province.

For items of interest on the theme from the City of Prince Rupert see their website here.

More background on notes from the Legislature can be found here.