Phones will buzz at 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday for a test of the Alert Ready system. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

alert ready

Nationwide test of emergency alert system set for Wednesday

Nov 16, 2022 | 9:26 AM

NANAIMO — A test of Canada’s emergency alert system will take place Wednesday.

Phones will buzz and alerts will air on television and radio on Wednesday, Nov 16 at 1:55 p.m. to test the national Alert Ready system which is deployed in the event of public safety emergencies.

Since launching in April 2018, the system has been used sparingly for emergencies but was enhanced in the wake of wild weather in November 2021.

“In spring 2022, the Province expanded the Alert Ready system to include alerts for wildfires, floods and extreme-heat emergencies, in addition to tsunamis, civil emergencies and Amber Alerts,” a release from the province read.

Messages will appear on phones, television and radio clearly outlining the test, and no action is required.

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An actual emergency would show any relevant details and can be tailored to go out to certain areas of the country depending on the situation.

BC RCMP used the system in March to issue a province-wide amber alert for a missing family from Fort St. John.

More recently in July, police issued a series of alerts for the Lower Mainland, some of which hit phones on Vancouver Island with 604 area codes, warning of an active shooter situation in Langley.

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