A terrifying alarm accompanied by sirens will be sent to millions of people’s phones in the coming weeks to warn about a “danger to life”.
The UK government is getting ready to test its nationwide security alarm by sending a message, accompanied by the sound of a siren, that gives details about the emergency and instructions about what to do and how to seek help.
This first round of tests will focus on extreme weather events like flooding.
The alarm is part of the new Emergency Alerts system which was established to help warn the public of a potentially life-threatening situation nearby.
The system was formally written about in the UK Government Resilience Framework, which was published in December to outline ways the UK prepares for disasters.
The government said the Emergency Alerts system would be launched in “early 2023” and up until now there have only been local tests in Reading, which created terrified reactions as sirens were heard from iPhones and Android devices for ten seconds, along with a message saying it was only a test.
For the local testing in Reading, one local wrote on BerkshireLive’s Facebook Page: “I nearly wet myself!”
Another comment stated: “It scared the life out of me!”
Now a nationwide reaction is expected.
The Government Resilience Framework document explained the system as follows: “It will allow government organisations and emergency responders to send alerts, with a distinctive message appearance and tone, to every compatible mobile device within a chosen geographical area at very short notice.”
The message will be able to reach 85% of cellular devices made since 2015.
Labour has been pushing for the system for more than a decade and ministers have been promising to introduce it since 2013. Labour’s Shadow Paymaster General Fleur Anderson said the trial was “long overdue” and the government has been “haphazard in preparing for emergencies”.
“This saga has dragged on far too long and left our country lagging far behind on keeping the public safe,” she said, adding: “Labour has a plan for a more resilient Britain to ensure government is alert to the threats our country faces.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Emergency Alerts will be a vital tool in helping us better respond to emergencies, both nationally and locally.
“We have worked closely with the emergency services to develop this and carried out extensive trials ahead of its national rollout. We expect to update shortly.”
(Source: The Mirror)
