People near a terrorist attack, flooding and other risks to life will receive alerts on their mobile phones as part of plans being developed by the government.
The aptly named emergency alert alert service will be introduced in a trial this summer using new cell broadcasting technology.
It will initially focus on specific regions of the country, but will be rolled out more widely beyond the trial period and could be used to alert people to dangers both locally and nationally.
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The plan is based on a similar pattern that many will have become familiar with over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, with vaccination reminders and changes in local lockdown measures among messages and notifications sent to millions of people across the country since the start of the crisis.
These alerts are also widely used in other countries, including Japan, Canada and New Zealand, where they have been widely credited with saving lives in earthquakes.
Although there was one notable occasion when an emergency warning sent in error badly told people Hawaii that they must prepare for the arrival of a missile.
To ensure the UK’s alert system is fit for purpose, public trials will begin in east Suffolk on May 25, where residents will receive a test alert message. They won’t have to do anything in response – it’s just a test.
If successful, a nationwide deployment will follow later this year, with the government hoping it could help respond to future public health emergencies, industrial incidents, severe flooding, fires and terrorist attacks.
Payor General Penny Mordaunt said, “The Emergency Alert Service will be an essential tool to help us better respond to emergencies, both nationally and locally. This new service …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-15 21:59:00
