Canada's public emergency alert system to test on mobile devices on May 8

Canada will be testing its public alert system across the country next week.

On May 8, test alerts should appear on every updated and compatible mobile device connected to an LTE wireless network in participating provinces and territories.

The alerts will simultaneously be distributed on radio and television, according to Alert Ready.

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“The Alert Ready emergency alerting system will be tested in all provinces and territories on May 8, 2019, on TV, radio and compatible wireless devices,” reads the Alert Ready website.

“Not all mobile devices can receive alerts. Device compatibility, software version, phone settings and connection to an LTE network can impact whether the alert is received. If you have received an SMS text message notifying you of the test, it does not guarantee that you can receive these emergency alerts.”

The alert messages will be identified as a test and will not require Canadians to take action.

They will be sent out to all provinces and territories (except for ONT) at 1:55 pm local time.

In Ontario, the alert will be sent out at 2:55 pm local time.

Alert Ready

The Alert Ready system was developed throughout various industries and partners, including federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers.

Together, these partners work to ensure Canadians receive alerts immediately and know when to take action to stay safe.

The CRTC says that for a wireless device to receive a test alert, it must be connected to an LTE wireless network at the time the test alert is issued (LTE is commonly referred to as “4G LTE”); wireless public alerting compatible; and updated with the wireless service provider’s latest software.

If a mobile device meets these conditions and does not receive the test, you can contact your respective wireless service providers.

The National Public Alerting System (NPAS), publicly branded as Alert Ready, is a collaborative initiative between federal, provincial, and territorial governments along with industry partners.

Examples of the types of alerts that are issued through the Alert Ready system include natural disasters like tornados and earthquakes or a civil emergency like Amber Alerts.

Depending on the service provider, phones will either sound off or buzz for eight seconds during the testing. For more information about Alert Ready and to hear the alert click here.