Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton announced that a new emergency alert system, Alert Ready, is operational and will be tested this afternoon at 1:58 p.m.
“We now have the ability to send more alerts to more people, faster, enabling them to take action and stay safe,” said Minister Ashton. “Only alerts regarding an imminent or unexpected threat to life will be broadcast and these will be based on criteria developed by government officials. The list includes a broad range of events such as tornados, flash floods, wild fires and biohazards.”
The system provides authorized government agencies and broadcasters across Canada with a simple and easily accessible method to issue public safety alerts. Cable and satellite companies, radio stations, over-the-air television stations and video-on-demand services will use the Alert Ready system and transmit crucial emergency alerts to their audiences.
A provincewide Alert Ready test message will be sent out over television and radio at 1:58 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.
Alert Ready is operated by Pelmorex Media Inc., the parent company of the Weather Network and MétéoMédia, and developed in partnership with federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Environment Canada and the broadcast industry.
A new website, www.AlertReady.ca, includes additional information about the type of alerts Canadians will receive, examples of the alert notifications, links to provincial and territorial emergency preparedness resources and videos to help Canadians be prepared for emergencies. To learn more about alerts broadcast in Manitoba and other emergency preparedness resources, www.manitobaemo.ca.
Minister Ashton also announced a new Manitoba Community Emergency Preparedness Award to recognize communities that have created an emergency preparedness program meeting or exceeding standards.
“Knowing the risks in your community, making emergency plans and creating a culture of preparedness can help Manitobans during emergency situations. We want to recognize communities that have taken the time to be well prepared for all hazards they face,” said Minister Ashton. “Emergency preparedness starts at home and emergencies can strike at anytime and anywhere, often with little or no notice.”
The first annual Manitoba Community Emergency Preparedness award recipients will be announced at the provincial Disaster Management Conference in October. The Manitoba Community Emergency Preparedness Award is being announced as part of the 2015 national Emergency Preparedness Week, May 3 to 9. The theme of Emergency Preparedness Week this year is ‘Know the Risks. Reduce Them Together!’.
