• There are several emergency alerting tools in B.C., including:
  • the Provincial Emergency Notification System (used for tsunami events);
  • the National Alert Ready system;
  • subscription text alerts, alerting apps, localized sirens, and door-to-door notifications in a number of communities;
  • emergencyinfobc.ca, which hosts active provincial emergency information; and
  • social media, including @emergencyinfoBC on Twitter.
• In B.C., alerts are most often used to tell people they need to evacuate immediately because of an emergency where there is imminent danger, such as a wildfire or flooding.
• If you receive an alert, follow the instructions in the alert message.

Alerts from First Nations and local governments

• Listen to local emergency officials for guidance during an emergency.
• Under B.C.’s legislation, local authorities can issue evacuation orders and alerts for residents of their jurisdictions.
• Local authorities in B.C. also have a responsibility to establish procedures to ensure residents are notified of an emergency or impending disaster.
• Many local governments already have subscription-based emergency alerting systems that people can opt-in to and receive local alerts through text, email, phone calls and apps.
  • To receive alerts from a local community, people must sign up through the local government or First Nation.
• Some First Nations and communities have other systems in place, such as the siren system in Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, which includes Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino.

Alerts from the Province and other agencies

• The Province, RCMP and Environment and Climate Change Canada can issue emergency alerts with Alert Ready, a Canada-wide system that allows government officials in each province and territory to issue public safety alerts through major television and radio broadcasters, as well as cellphones or any compatible wireless device.
• The system is only used during emergencies where public safety is at risk and immediate action is required by those within the intended alerting area.
• Emergency alerts sent using the Alert Ready system can interrupt television and radio stations, and send emergency alert messages to cellphones within a selected warning area.
  • These emergency alerts begin with a district sound, known as the Canadian Alert Attention Signal.
• Emergency alerts are issued to the affected region or areas in B.C., including the entire province.
• The area that receives an emergency alert will almost always be larger than the area affected by the nature of the emergency, so it is important to read an alert carefully to understand the area it affects and follow the instructions being provided.
• People do not need to subscribe to receive these emergency alerts because they will be broadcast automatically.
• More than 90% of phones are compatible to receive emergency alerts.
  • Cellphones must be connected to an LTE cellular network (the device must be turned on and cannot be set to “do not disturb” or airplane mode), be alert compatible and be within the alert area.
• The Alert Ready system was introduced in B.C. in 2015 to enhance the existing Tsunami Notification Process Plan. Capability to issue alerts to cellphones was added in 2018.
• Following the introduction of Alert Ready for tsunami response, the Province worked with the RCMP and local police agencies to enable their use of the expanded emergency alerting system to issue Amber Alerts and alerts for civil emergencies.
• Civil emergency and Amber Alerts are issued by RCMP on behalf of the appropriate police of jurisdiction. Amber Alerts are typically issued provincewide.
• The Amber Alert emergency alerting system is used to provide specific information to the public that can assist in locating a missing and endangered child, such as descriptions of the child, vehicle or persons likely to be with the missing child.
• The emergency alerting system is tested twice a year in May and November throughout Canada.

Changes to B.C.’s emergency alerting

• With increasing threats from climate change, the Province has expanded the use of emergency alerts to include additional hazards.
• In spring 2022, the Province introduced the ability to issue emergency alerts for wildfires, floods and extreme heat emergencies, in addition to tsunamis, civil emergencies and Amber Alerts.
• Decisions to activate the Alert Ready system are not made lightly and are done in consultation with public safety authorities based on the evolving nature of emergencies and public safety concerns.

Learn More:

To find out if a cellphone is compatible with the national Alert Ready system and for information about the system, visit: www.alertready.ca

For information about B.C.’s emergency alert system, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/emergency-alerts

• When you might receive an emergency alert: www.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/emergency-alerts/how-alerts-work
• What to do if you receive an emergency alert: www.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/emergency-alerts/receive-emergency-alert
• Where to find other sources of safety information during an emergency: www.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/emergency-alerts/receive-emergency-alert#othersourcesofinformation
• Technical information and troubleshooting: www.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/emergency-alerts/how-alerts-work

PreparedBC is a one-stop shop for disaster readiness information. For tips on how to prepare an emergency plan and what to include in an emergency kit, visit: http://www.preparedbc.ca
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreparedBC/
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PreparedBC

For information during active provincial emergencies, visit: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC

BC Wildfire Service: www.bcwildfire.ca

BC Wildfire Service mobile app:
Apple (iOS), download directly from the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bc-wildfire-service/id1477675008?ls=1
Android, download directly from the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.bc.gov.WildfireInformation&hl=en