How BC will use Canada’s new wireless emergency alert system

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s new wireless emergency alert system was launched this week and we’re getting new details from Emergency Management BC about what you will see on your smart phone if a tsunami threatens our province.

You will hear the extremely jarring alert tone and see a text on an LTE network phone.

LISTEN: This is the tone you’ll hear on TV, radio or your cell phone, pay attention and take action right away

 

However, the agency’s Ian Lightbody says there are limitations to the system. “If your phone is off, you won’t get the alert. If your phone is on silent or do not disturb, you won’t get the audio but you would get a visual like a text would still pop up and you’re only going to get the alert if you’re in the area where there would be a life-threatening hazard.”

He adds the system is the same one used in Hawaii for the mistaken missile alert that caused widespread panic earlier this year.

“Fortunately, the US is willing to share of its lessons learned on that. One of the lessons learned is if you do send something out by accident, correct it and correct it on the same system so people see it. They tried correcting it on Facebook and Twitter, but people weren’t looking at Facebook and Twitter.”

He adds it’s impossible to reach every single person with a system like this, which is why local governments are encouraged to have their own alerting systems from sirens to phone calls.

“The local governments know their area the best and they’re the ones that people need to go to for directions and instructions on what to do in response to that hazard.”

Canada’s broadcast regulator, the CRTC, has said that wireless carriers will conduct one test of the system during the week of May 6.

This is not a subscriber-based system, there is no opt out so all capable phones targeted will receive emergency alerts.

Click here to check if your phone is compatible.