Next Wednesday evening, New Brunswickers with smartphones are going to get an alert message, as a test of the national Alert Ready system.
Director of Public Alerting at Pelmorex Martin Belanger says this system is already in place for TV, and radio but now it has been expanded to include wireless devices as long as they are compatible.
“It needs to have a software that can actually run and receive these public alerts as issued by the authorities,” says Belanger. “So most phones do have that software, but if you want to check, you can go to the alertready.ca website, and there’s a section to check the compatibility of your cellphone by carrier.”
He says there are other things necessary too, including the phone being on, and having access to an LTE network, and if all three things come together, you will receive an alert on your phone during Wednesday’s 6:55PM test.
Belanger says it’s up to officials to decide what emergencies should be put into the system.
“The system could be used for tornado warnings, amber alerts, chemical hazards like in New Brunswick in the winter of 2017, or civil emergencies,” says Belanger.
Belanger says while the content will be the same from device to device, the actual alert may sound different depending on your precise device settings, and volume.
He adds the system has been designed to require several steps and confirmations before alerts go out to the public, adding even if something does make it out unintentionally, the system allows for a fast retraction of the error.
More details about the Alert Ready system can be found HERE.
