Alert Ready test coming to wireless devices on today

Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Digital Writers

Test alert coming to TVs, radios, and compatible wireless devices on November 25, 2020.

On November 25, 2020, a public test message will be issued through Alert Ready, Canada’s public alerting system, by most provincial and territorial emergency management organizations. Each participating province and territory will issue one test message that will be distributed over television, radio and compatible wireless devices.

Since January 1, 2020, more than 170 emergency alert messages have been successfully transmitted through the Alert Ready system. The emergency alerts distributed vary in type; from tornado, public safety, AMBER, wildfires and flood alerts.

ALERT READY IS A LIFE-SAVING TECHNOLOGY

In recent years there have been a number of cases where Alert Ready has had direct impacts. In Alberta, the Amber Alert system was successful in helping to locate an 8-year-old in 2019. In July of this year, the Lanark OPP used the system during a successful manhunt for a murder suspect in Carleton Place, ON. And Alberta alone was alerted to 17 wildfires and 11 tornadoes in 2019. And in September 2018, Dunrobin families credit the system for saving lives when numerous tornadoes touched down in the Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec region.

Emergency Alert

WHY ARE TESTS DONE?

Testing of Alert Ready across the country, and on a regular basis, is an important and necessary part of any public alerting system. It provides an opportunity to validate and improve the performance and reliability of the system and to ensure it operates as it is intended in the event of an imminent life-threatening situation. It also provides an opportunity to increase public awareness about the Alert Ready system and how it works on TV, radio and compatible wireless devices.

Below are the test times for each province and territory:

Alert Ready Test Times - updated

CAN YOU OPT OUT?

Given the importance of warning Canadians of imminent threat to the safety of life and property, Canadians do not have the option to opt-out of this essential life-saving service. The objective of Alert Ready is to ensure Canadians are aware of a potentially life-threatening situation and distributing alerts via wireless, TV and radio helps to ensure Canadians receive this important information directly or are near someone else who has.

HOW THE WEATHER NETWORK PLAYS A PART

Pelmorex Corp., the parent company of The Weather Network, operates the technical infrastructure of the Alert Ready system. Pelmorex receives alerts from authorized alert issuers who consist of provincial, territorial and federal authorities and makes those alerts available to alert distributors which include television, radio, satellite, cable and wireless service providers.

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The Weather Network is committed to keeping you safe and also distributes Alert Ready public alerts on all of its platforms. If you are watching us on TV or using our app, you will receive the test alert from us too.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Alert Ready was developed in collaboration with federal, provincial, and territorial government agencies, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers.

How it works: Alert Ready