Emergency Management BC will be testing the BC Emergency Alerting System on March 21 at 1:55 p.m.
The test involves broadcasting an alert tone followed by a message on radio and TV that will say:
“This is a test of the British Columbia Emergency Alerting System issued by Emergency Management British Columbia. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency or threat you would now hear instructions that would assist you to protect you and your family. This is only a test. No action is required.”
It's part of a Canada-wide system called AlertReady that is designed to be used during large scale disasters. In B.C. "the system will only be used to alert to a potential tsunami," but could be expanded to include other types of hazards, according to EmergencyInfoBC.
Wireless alerts will be included in the next test, which is scheduled for May 9.
