Smartphones To Get Emergency Alerts

Wireless emergency alerts go live in BC this Friday.

The notifications will be issued through the national Alert Ready program and sent to smartphones and other wireless devices to ensure people have the information they need to act quickly in an emergency.

“Accurate and timely information in an emergency situation can save lives and livelihoods, and we need to deploy every tool available to alert people of potential public safety threats,” says Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “As technology improves, we are always looking for new ways to broaden our reach and reduce the time it takes to communicate critical safety information. Wireless alerts will help us achieve both of those objectives.”

Wireless alerts will be publicly tested for the first time in BC on May 9th, , at 1:55 p.m. (Pacific time), alongside routine television and radio tests.