The UK government has launched an emergency service to alert people to potentially life-threatening events via their mobile phones – the first trial is being conducted this weekend.
The alerts are inspired by similar systems that alert people to extreme weather in the US, Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands.
Cabinet Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “We are strengthening our national resilience with a new emergency alert system to deal with a wide range of threats from floods to wildfires.
“This will revolutionize our ability to warn and inform people who are in immediate danger and help us protect people. As we have seen in the US and other countries, ringing the phone can save a life.”
Here’s everything you need to know about alerts, including what to expect from the test and how it will sound.
When is the emergency call test?
The emergency call test is carried out in Sunday 23 April at 15:00.
The alert reads: “This is a test by Emergency Alerts, a new UK public service, to alert you if there is a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“In this emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to protect yourself and others. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
“This is a test. You don’t have to do anything.”
The government advisory states: “The test does not require any action from the public – the sound and vibration will automatically stop after 10 seconds. All people have to do is swipe a message or tap OK on their phone’s home screen – just like a low battery alert or notification – and continue using their phone.”
What does the warning sound like?
When you receive a notification, your phone or tablet may:
- Make a loud siren sound, even if it is quiet;
- vibrate;
- Read the warning.
The sound and vibration last about 10 seconds. If you have vision or hearing problems, sound and vibration alerts will notify you of an emergency.
How do emergency notifications work?
Emergency calls are sent only by emergency services or government departments, agencies and government agencies dealing with emergencies. You can receive warnings of severe flooding, fire, or extreme weather conditions.
The warning includes a phone number or a link to a government website for more information.
You will receive notifications based on your current location, not where you live or work. You don’t need to enable location services to receive notifications.
If you receive a warning, you must stop your activities and follow the instructions. You must acknowledge the warning before you can use other phone features.
If you are driving, find a safe place to stop before responding to the warning. If there is no safe or legal place to stop nearby and there is no one in the car to read the warning, turn on the radio live and wait for bulletins until you find a safe and legal place to stop.
The government said the alerts are safe and free to receive and will not reveal anyone’s whereabouts or collect personal information.
They work on all 4G and 5G phone networks. Old “non-smartphones” are not included as the 3G technology they use will be shut down next year. The government said people would be informed differently if they don’t have a compatible device.
Can I disable notifications?
You can turn off emergency notifications at any time in your phone settings.
On iPhone it’s below institutionsand than notifications – With switches at the bottom to turn off Extreme alerts AND Serious Warnings.
On Android, the toggle is in the Emergency Notifications section. institutionsHow notificationsHow Wireless Emergency Alerts.
Does the system collect personal data?
NO. The system is connected to the same cell tower as the cell phone is connected to. When an alarm is triggered, all nearby towers receive it. No specific locations or personal information is required from individuals.
Warnings come only from the government and emergency services. No one else can use or access it.
Source: I News
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