Emergency
alerts
!
I have just discovered, quite by chance, that the (UK) Government will be conducting a nationwide testing of the Emergency Alerts system at 3.00 pm on Sunday 7th September. The alert system is used to inform of life-threatening emergencies, like wildfires, severe flooding or extreme weather.
From Gov.UK:
The government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert’.
The alarm will sound on mobile ‘phones or tablets, even if such devices are set to silent. It lasts for about ten seconds and takes the form of a loud siren sound, a vibration or spoken word. It includes a telephone number or a link to a government website for more information.
I seem to recall that the last time the alert system was tested it was something of a damp squib and could easily have passed unnoticed.
If people don’t have compatible devices, ‘you’ll still be informed about an emergency. The emergency services have other ways to warn you when there is a threat to life.’
That led me to wonder how ‘the authorities’ would know who would not be able to receive alerts and what methods would be employed to ensure that they were informed. Door to door visits by volunteers, perhaps, or a candle in the window? Church bells tolling or emergency service sirens wailing?
It reminds me of circumstances a few years ago when schools were not being opened because of poor weather. I enquired how we would know the latest developments and was told, ‘Local radio announcements.’ ‘I don’t listen to local radio,’ said I. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to locate local station on my radio. The reaction was one of disbelief. How was it possible to exist without constant attention to the local radio station?
Anyway, we all survived. I await Sunday’s trial with interest and have informed all my family of what to expect.
Thanks for the heads up Janice. I suspect that the emergency alert will pass me by as I do not have a mobile phone. The "system" happily assumes that everybody possesses a smartphone.
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