The UK government has announced that it will be testing a new public warning system called “Emergency Alerts” by sending a siren-like alert to all mobile phones in the country next month. As per an official statement released on Sunday (March 19), the Emergency Alerts service has already been launched and is currently operational, with the nationwide test scheduled to take place on the evening of April 23. The statement highlights that the Emergency Alerts system will enhance the UK’s warning and informing capabilities by enabling quick dissemination of urgent messages to almost 90% of mobile phones in a defined area and providing clear instructions on how to respond.
The government stated that the Emergency Alerts system has undergone successful testing in East Suffolk and Reading and is now prepared to be tested nationwide. Only the government or emergency services will issue alerts, which will contain details of the affected area, a warning, and instructions on how to respond.
According to the government, Emergency Alerts will be sent only in rare situations where there is an imminent threat to people’s lives. As a result, individuals may not receive an alert for months or even years.
Sunday’s statement highlighted that the Emergency Alerts service has already been successfully implemented in several other countries, such as the US, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan. It has been widely recognized for saving lives during severe weather incidents. In the UK, the alerts could be utilized to inform individuals residing in areas affected by wildfires or severe flooding.
The alerts will be implemented throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and their primary use will concentrate on severe weather-related incidents of the most severe nature. The government has worked in close collaboration with various stakeholders and partners throughout the UK, including emergency service officials, transport organizations, and the Environment Agency, in the development of the system.
The alerts will be secure and free to receive, with no personal information collected, and they will only be sent in one direction. The alerts will not disclose an individual’s location and can only be dispatched by authorized government and emergency service users.
Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, commented that the Emergency Alerts system would transform the government’s capability to notify and update individuals who are at an imminent risk of harm.
Mark Hardingham, the National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, expressed his excitement about having access to Emergency Alerts, along with every fire and rescue service throughout the country. He stated that it would aid them in performing their duties and assisting communities during emergency situations.
Caroline Douglass, the Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management at the Environment Agency, lauded the system as a valuable addition to the agency’s resources that can be utilized during emergencies.
Douglass emphasized the significance of communicating warnings promptly and precisely during incidents to encourage individuals to take action to safeguard themselves, their loved ones, and their neighbors.
