A test of the province's emergency alert system is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7 at 1:55 p.m. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

vital information

Test of provincial emergency alert system scheduled for Wednesday

May 7, 2025 | 8:54 AM

NANAIMO — Expect a loud alarm on your phone, and interruption of TV and radio broadcasts briefly Wednesday afternoon.

The National Public Alerting System is scheduled to conduct a test of B.C.’s Emergency Alert System at 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7.

The test involves sending a coordinated signal to all connected cell phones, TV’s and radio’s with messaging indicating the test is ongoing, and in a real situation the messaging would relay potentially life-saving details.

B.C.’s alert system was launched in April 2018 and is tested twice per year.

It’s used when a large scale situation threatens the lives or safety of people and delivery of critical information is needed in a rapid manner.

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The system was used repeatedly during the wildfires through interior and northern B.C. in 2023 and 2024.

It is similar to an early warning system for earthquakes, launched in B.C. in 2024.

However, both send a deliberately intrusive message to all available devices and broadcast media in a bid to inform the highest number of people in the shortest amount of time.

More information on the test, or the system itself, is available on the Emergency Info BC website.

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