A test of the B.C. emergency alert system is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 6 at 1:55 p.m., just in time for Emergency Preparedness Week
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If your phone suddenly sounds an alarm this week, don’t panic.
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A test of the B.C. emergency alert system is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 6 at 1:55 p.m., just in time for Emergency Preparedness Week.
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That means you’ll likely get an alert and tone on your smartphone, and will see a similar alert on your televisions and on the radio. The alert will be clearly identified as being just a test and will not require any action on your part.
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The test happens twice a year and allows officials to ensure the system works as intended and that adjustments can be made before an actual emergency requires use of the system.
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To receive the test alert, your phone must be turned on, connected to an LTE cell network, not set to ‘do not disturb’ or airplane mode, be wireless public alerting compatible and be within the alert area and have up-to-date software.
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B.C. first launched its emergency alert system in April 2018. In 2022, the alerts were expanded beyond tsunami warnings to include imminent threats from flood, wildfires, landslides and extreme-heat emergencies.
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In recent years, the federal government also launched an earthquake early-warning system in B.C.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada can issue alerts for tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and storm surges.
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Natural Resources Canada can also issue automatic alerts for earthquakes when thresholds are met, warning residents before the shaking is felt.
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Police can also issue emergency alerts in cases relating to police incidents or Amber Alerts.
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More information about emergency alerts in B.C. and what to do in a real one is available at gov.bc.ca. Tips on creating a plan in a real emergency are at PreparedBC.ca.
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