BC Gov News

There are several emergency alerting mechanisms in B.C., including local government emergency alerts, coastal siren systems, door-to-door notifications, social media and the National Public Alerting System, publicly branded as Alert Ready.

• Alerts are most often used to tell people that they need to evacuate immediately because of an emergency when there is imminent danger, such as fire or flooding.
• If you receive an alert, follow the instructions in the alert.

Alerts from First Nations and local governments

• Listen to local emergency officials for guidance during an emergency.
• Under B.C.’s legislation, many parts of emergency management are a responsibility of the appropriate local government, including the authority to issue an evacuation order or alert.
• Local authorities in B.C. have the responsibility, in collaboration with Emergency Management BC, to provide emergency notifications to their residents for all hazards.
• Many local governments already have opt-in public-alerting systems that people can subscribe to and receive local alerts through text, email, phone calls and apps.
• Some coastal communities and First Nations have other systems in place, such as the siren system in Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, which includes Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino.
• To receive alerts from a local community, people must sign up through the local government or First Nation.

Alerts from the Province

• The Province can issue broadcast-intrusive 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 compatible cellphones.
• Broadcast-instrusive alerts will only be issued to the affected region(s) within B.C. However, Amber Alerts may be issued provincewide.
• The Amber Alert public notification 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 and of a vehicle or persons likely to be with the missing child.
• The area that receives an alert will almost always be larger than the area affected by the emergency, so it is important to read an alert carefully to understand the area it affects and follow the instructions being provided.
• Alert Ready interrupts television and radio stations, and sends alerts to cellphones within the alert area beginning with a distinct sound, known as the Canadian Alert Attention Signal.
• People do not need to register to receive these alerts because they will be broadcast automatically.
• The Province will issue an Alert Ready based on a request from First Nations, local governments and experts responding on the ground.
• This system is only used during disasters or emergencies when public safety is at risk.
• More than 90% of phones are compatible to receive broadcast-instrusive alerts. Mobile phones 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 alert people of a tsunami hazard. Capability to issue alerts to mobile phones was added in 2018.
• Following the introduction of Alert Ready for tsunami response, the Province then worked with the RCMP and local police agencies to enable their use of the expanded broadcast-intrusive alerting system to issue Amber Alerts and alerts for civil emergencies.

Changes to B.C.’s emergency alerting

• Emergency Management BC is expanding the use of the national Alert Ready system to include additional hazards.
• As part of this change, Emergency Management BC will implement the Alert Ready system for the 2022 freshet and wildfire season.
• Decisions to activate the Alert Ready system are not made lightly and are done in consultation with public safety authorities and local authorities based on the evolving nature of emergencies and public safety concerns.

Learn More:

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

For information about B.C.’s alerting system, visit: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/alert-ready-wireless-public-alerting/

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
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For information during active provincial emergencies, visit: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
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