The UK government has introduced a new emergency alert service for its citizens. The government has announced that a siren-like warning will be sent to mobile phone users across the UK next month. The service will be part of a test of a new public warning system for life-threatening events such as extreme weather events.
According to news agency PTI, a UK-wide alert test will take place in the early evening hours of Sunday, April 23, with people receiving a test notification on their phones. smartphone.
According to the announcement, the new Emergency Alerts will be used very rarely, only being sent to places where there is a direct risk to people’s lives, so people may not receive an alert for months or even years. even many years.
There is a possibility that a terrorist alert could also be added to the list of potential events that would trigger the notification from time to time. Although it is not added to the list right now.
“We are strengthening the nation’s resilience with a new emergency warning system, to respond to a wide range of threats – from floods to wildfires,” said Cabinet Office Secretary Oliver Dowden.
“It will revolutionize our ability to warn and notify people in immediate danger, and help us keep everyone safe. As we’ve seen in the US and elsewhere, ringing a phone can save lives,” he said.
Working with mobile broadcast technology, the Emergency Alert system is set to transform the UK’s alerting and notification capabilities, providing the means to receive emergency messages, the Cabinet Office said. Quickly reach nearly 90% of cell phones in a defined area and provide clear instructions on how best to respond.
The UK-wide rollout follows successful tests in East Suffolk and Reading as part of an action plan against a “constantly evolving” range of threats.
“Warnings will only come from the government or emergency services and they will issue an alert, always including detailed information about the affected area and providing guidance on how to best respond – contacting link to gov.uk/alerts where people can get more information,” said the UK Cabinet Office.
Similar services are already in use in other countries, including the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan. For example, the service has been widely credited with saving lives during extreme weather events.
Mark Hardingham, President of the UK’s National Fire Service said: “As with every fire and rescue service in the country, I look forward to Emergency Alerts to help us do our job and help the community in case of emergency”. Head Council.
“We have seen this type of system in action in other parts of the world and we look forward to having a UK base – by working with fire services and partners we want the system to be This system helps us keep you as safe as you can be if a crisis strikes,” he said.
“Being able to provide timely and accurate warnings during incidents is critical to helping people take action to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors,” said Caroline Douglass, Chief Operating Officer. Coastal Erosion and Flood Risk Management at the Environment. The firm.
“Emergency Alerts are a great addition to our toolbox that we can use in emergency situations,” she said.
Emergency Alerts will be used across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and their initial use will focus on the most severe incidents involving severe weather, including severe flooding in the UK.
(With input from PTI)
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