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It's Emergency Preparedness Week, which makes it the perfect time to test British Columbia’s emergency alert system.
That’s exactly what will happen today, as the Province will send out a test alert to all cell phones, televisions and radios.
These types of tests have typically happened in the early afternoon, but the first of two tests in 2024 will happen at 10:55 am.
“The test alert will go to all compatible cell phones, and will interrupt radio and television broadcasts,” the Province explained in a news release.
“This test will assess the system's readiness for an actual emergency and identify any required adjustments.”
BC expanded the use of its emergency alert system in 2022 and it is now utilized to warn the public about imminent threats from floods, wildfires and extreme heat emergencies.
During the 2023 wildfire season, the Province issued 24 emergency alerts in an effort to provide timely, potentially life-saving information to British Columbians.
Police also use the system to issue alerts for civil emergencies and, most commonly, Amber Alerts.
The BC Emergency Alert system was launched on April 6, 2018, and is tested biannually in the spring and fall.
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