By Tom Mark

Wireless Alert Test This Afternoon

May 9, 2018 | 9:34 AM

If you have a cellphone capable of receiving an alert, you should get one this afternoon at 1:55.

Wireless alerts will be tested for the first time in B.C. at that time as part of the federal-provincial government initiative to improve public safety in the event of emergency.

Emergency Management BC is responsible for issuing emergency notifications on the Alert Ready system in the province, and will initially use wireless alerting for tsunami threats only.

The Province is considering expanding the use of Alert Ready beyond tsunamis to include other hazards and emergencies.

The emergency alerts will be issued, alongside routine television and radio tests, to compatible wireless devices, such as smartphones.

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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.”

“Wireless alerting will help improve and broaden our reach, so we can ensure more people have access to critical and potentially life-saving information in the event of an emergency,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “We’re testing this technology for the first time today to give British Columbians the opportunity to see first-hand how the new system works, and make sure that their devices are compatible.”

“Wireless public alerts are one more tool to alert people of an emergency situation and communicate critical safety information,” said chief superintendent Denis Boucher, officer in charge of the B.C. RCMP information management and technology branch. “It is important that people follow the instructions as directed by the issuing authority and the alert message. Please refrain from calling 911 to seek additional information, as any additional information will be provided through other media sources, such as press releases, radio and television announcements.”

by Tom Mark