Manitobans are reminded that an Alert Ready public awareness test message is scheduled to take place across the province on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 1:55pm.
“The emergency alert test message will be distributed through radio, cable and satellite TV broadcasters, web feeds and to compatible wireless devices,” said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler, minister responsible for emergency measures. “It is important to note that not all Manitobans will receive the test alert on their wireless devices. This may occur for a variety of reasons, including device compatibility, connection to a long-term evolution (LTE) network, cell tower coverage, and individual device software and settings.”
This will be the second test of the Alert Ready system in Manitoba this year. The first test took place in May during Emergency Preparedness Week.
Regular testing helps build awareness of the Alert Ready system in Manitoba and what an emergency alert will look and sound like on TV, radio and wireless devices. Manitobans are encouraged to check device compatibility on their wireless service provider’s website and ensure their device has the latest software update installed prior to the test.
“Keeping Canadians safe and informed is of the utmost importance for us at Pelmorex,” said Martin Bélanger, director of public alerting at Pelmorex. “We have a long history of keeping people aware of critical and potentially life-threatening situations. Testing all components across the country is an important and necessary part of any public alerting system.”
Pelmorex is the operator of the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination system, which is the technical structure of the Alert Ready system.
“Manitobans are an important partner in this so if you receive an emergency alert message, share it with your friends, your family and your social networks because not everyone may receive the alert,” said Schuler. “Knowing what to do in an emergency and being prepared is important to protect yourself, your family and your community.”
Manitobans who receive the emergency alert on a wireless device while operating a vehicle should remain calm and safely pull off the roadway at the earliest opportunity to view the alert.
Feedback following the test will provide valuable information on the emergency alerting system. A brief survey is available on Manitoba EMO’s website.
For more information on emergency alerts in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/emo or www.alertready.ca.
