If a tsunami is imminent, the national Alert Ready program will be able to send notice through compatible wireless devices such as smartphones starting April 6.
The wireless alerts will be publicly tested for the first time in B.C. on May 9 at 1:55 p.m., with radio and television tests occurring simultaneously.
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) is the sole agency responsible for issuing emergency notifications on the Alert Ready system in the province, and will initially issue such alerts for tsunami threats only. The province is considering expanding the use of Alert Ready beyond tsunamis to include other hazards and emergencies in the future.
Last year, the CRTC mandated that wireless service providers be capable of sending public alerts via wireless devices in Canada by April 6, 2018.
Instructions for how to respond to emergencies will be included in the alerts.
To find out if your device is compatible with the program, see www.alertready.ca
