TO improve public safety in the event of an emergency, a test of the BC Emergency Alert system will take place at 1:55 p.m. (Pacific time) on Wednesday, November 19.

The test alert will be sent to all compatible cellphones and will interrupt radio and television broadcasts. The alert will be clearly identified as a test and will not require any action from the public.

The test message to cellphones will read:

“This is a TEST of the BC Emergency Alert System issued by the Province of British Columbia. This is ONLY a TEST. In an emergency, this message would tell you about the hazard and how to stay safe. This information could save your life. Visit https://www.emergencyinfobc.ca/test to learn more and give feedback on this test. This is ONLY a TEST.”

The alert is part of a national test of the National Public Alerting System, which is a collaboration among federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as industry partners. It provides a standard alerting capability to rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards, and threats to life and safety.

The emergency alerting system is tested twice a year in British Columbia. Testing improves public awareness about B.C.’s emergency alerting system, provides people with an example of what to expect in the event of an actual emergency, and provides an opportunity to adjust the system before there is a real emergency.