232244
232902

BC  

BC wide alert on radio, TV

Alarms will be ringing on television and radio stations Wednesday, but don’t panic.

As part of a Canada-wide test, Emergency Management BC will conduct a test of their system and run the alarm on television and radio alerts.

“This is part of a Canada-wide system – Alert Ready – that allows government officials to issue public safety alerts through major television and radio broadcasters,” states a press release on Tuesday.

Broadcast immediate alerts are issued for urban or wildfires, natural disasters, biological contamination, air quality, falling objects, terrorist threats, amber alerts or civil emergencies.

“This system will only be used during large-scale disasters or emergencies where loss of life is imminent and possible,” states the ministry.

The alert test will occur at 1:55 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on televisions and radios, but not cellphones.

During the test, the public will hear this:

“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. This is only a test. No action is required.”

The next test is scheduled for May 9 at 1:55 p.m. and will include cell phone alerts.

To listen to the alert test, visit this link.



More BC News