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(Pattison Media photo)
By Pete McIntyre
May 10

Test of alert system in B.C. Wednesday, Predator Ridge siren included

May 9, 2023 | 2:11 PM

B.C. residents should be ready for a test of the emergency alert system on Wednesday (May 10).

Notifications will show up on cellphones, and on radio and television at 1:55 p.m. PST.

According to the Alert Ready website, the testing increases public awareness about the system and helps people get more prepared for actual emergencies. The testing also ensures the system is operating properly.

In conjunction with the Alert Ready test, a new emergency siren that was recently installed in the Predator Ridge area will be audibly tested at the same time. The test will last approximately three minutes.

Residents in the Predator Ridge area may hear a wailing sound with a cycle of high and low pitch tones while the test is taking place. The use of the siren is only for testing purposes and no action is required by the public.

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“The emergency siren is an initiative of the Predator Ridge Community Safety group, who made a request to Vernon council to have the device installed at Fire Station 3, to augment emergency communications for the purposes of evacuation due to wildfire,” a city news release stated.

The Alert Ready system and emergency siren are being tested in the midst of Emergency Preparedness Week, which is a national event supported by Public Safety Canada. To learn more about Emergency Preparedness Week, or how to prepare yourself and your household to respond to an emergency, visit www.getprepared.gc.ca.

by Pete McIntyre
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