Salford residents will receive an emergency alert on their mobile phones this weekend as the UK Government prepares to test their new Emergency Alert System.
At 3pm on Sunday 26th April, a nationwide test will take place with smartphone users receiving an alert as part of a new public warning system which is being implemented by the Government.
4G and 5G phone users will receive the alert on the home screen of their phones with a message, sound and vibration which will last for 10 seconds.
The message will read: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
“Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
“This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”
Phone users will have to acknowledge the emergency alert to continue using their device and even mobiles on silent will receive the emergency notification.
The new system, which is used elsewhere around the world, will be used in future to warn people of life-threatening situations, such as extreme weather events, like flooding or wildfires.
“Getting this system operational means we have a vital tool to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies. It could be the sound that saves your life,” said Oliver Dowden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
For the test, you’ll receive a message on the home screen of your mobile phone, along with a sound and vibration for up to ten seconds.
🚨You do not need to take any action.🚨
Simply swipe away the message or click OK on the home screen and continue to use your phone as normal. pic.twitter.com/2Rn4UP3Xqy
— Cabinet Office (@cabinetofficeuk) April 6, 2023
The technology will be used very rarely, with alerts only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives.
An Emergency Alert system will allow for urgent messages to be received quickly by nearly 90% of mobile phones in a defined area when there is a risk to life, according to the Government.
Ahead of Sunday’s test, Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman said: “We must use every tool at our disposal to keep people safe, and we need everyone to play their part – and the new Emergency Alerts system is one way we can do this.
“For 10 seconds, the national test may be inconvenient for some, but it’s important, because the next time you hear it – your life, and the life-saving actions of our emergency services, could depend on it.”
Government officials have stressed that people can opt-out of the system by turning off Emergency Alerts in settings or by switching off their phone, amid concerns from organisations and charities who represent vulnerable groups, including women and girls who are subject to domestic abuse and have concealed phones.
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