The government has shared new details about its emergency alert system, which will be tested next month when a warning message is sent to mobile phone users across the UK. The alert - due to be sent on Sunday April 23 - to smartphone users, who will be unable to use other features on their devices unless they acknowledge it.
In a media briefing with members of COBR, the Environment Agency, the National Fire Chiefs Council, and MobilesUK, a representative for the government stressed that the alert system is being considered a new and efficient tool for informing the public about emergencies but will not replace or supersede existing response and rescue protocols, nor traditional methods of mass communication such as radio broadcast.
Initially, the government expects the alert system will be used to warn people about the impact of severe weather-related events such as flooding and wildfires. The criteria for its use is when there is an immediate threat to life in a specific area for which mitigating action can be taken.
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Examples cited of situations when an alert may be considered appropriate include tidal surges or wildfires. The project is still in its pilot phase, but the government says it expects it will develop it to incorporate a range of uses where there is a widespread threat. It could include incidents of terrorism.
Any notification sent out by the emergency alert system may include telephone numbers or website links containing further information, advice or instructions. However, the in the alert being sent on April 23, the message will say it's a test and no action is required. The government has indicated that there are not likely to be any further tests, so any alerts received later will be for real.
Alerts will be initiated from the Cabinet Office, which will then notify mobile network operators who use the Cell Broadcast technology to push out messages to a defined geographical area. They will allow the government to target down to a very small area around the size of an electoral ward and will get through even when there is poor phone signal.
The system is already in use in other countries such as Japan and the USA and has been trialled twice in the UK. In Reading in 2021, there was a test that reached over 100,000 people and then again in a smaller rural community of about 10,000 people in East Suffolk.
Handsets already have the ability to receive push alerts of this type built-in and turned on by default, but there is a way for people to switch it off if they prefer by accessing their phone’s settings, then selecting 'emergency alerts' and toggling off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
What is an emergency alert?
An emergency alert is a free service being launched by the government that will warn you about serious nearby threats to life and action that you can take to mitigate them through your mobile phone or device. There will be a National Test Message of the system on Sunday, April 23.
What will an emergency alert look like?
Emergency Alerts will appear on your device and you will hear a loud siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds. It will appear on your device's home screen and you must acknowledge it before you can use other features.
They appear as a notification and may include telephone numbers or website links containing further information, advice or instructions. A loud, siren-like sound and vibration will accompany the message to raise awareness of the hazard or threat.
What if my phone is off?
The alert won't 'wake' your phone if it is powered off or in aeroplane mode. If the threat is no longer active when you turn your phone back on, you won't receive an alert.
What shall I do when I receive the test message?
You do not need to take any action. The siren will stop automatically after 10 seconds. A welcome message will stay on screen until you acknowledge it, just like a ‘low battery’ warning.
What will emergency alerts be used for?
Emergency alerts will be used to inform people about severe threats to life in particular areas, such as flooding or wildfires, and action or advice to mitigate against it.
Are emergency alerts free?
Emergency alerts are a free service.
Will people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive emergency alerts?
People living in all parts of the UK will be able to receive emergency alerts.
What should I do if I receive a real emergency alert?
When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing (when it is safe to do so) and follow the instructions in the alert. If you are driving, as when receiving any phone call or message, do not look at or touch your phone until it is safe to do so.
Will the Government use emergency alerts to spam me?
No. Emergency alerts will only be used to warn you about an immediate threat to life.
Does the government use my personal data to send an emergency alert?
No. The system uses the cell tower your phone is connected to. When an alert is triggered, all towers in the area will broadcast the alert. To do this the Government does not need to know the specific location or personal data on your device.
Will I still receive emergency alerts if I don’t have a smartphone?
Emergency alerts work on all 4G and 5G phone networks widely used by smartphones. This will not include older ‘non-smart’ phones but the 3G technology that they use is being switched off next year. If you do not have a compatible device, you’ll still be informed about an emergency as the emergency services have other ways to warn you when there is a threat to life.
Will I still receive an alert if I have no phone signal?
Yes. The alerts will get through even in an area where there is poor phone signals.
What happens if I receive an emergency alert when I am driving?
You should not read or respond to an emergency alert when you are driving or riding a vehicle. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before picking up your phone and reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio for information until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.
The notification that appears on the screen will remain on the screen until it's dismissed but won't interfere with other applications you may be running your phone, like Sat Nav systems .
Will emergency alerts affect my battery life?
No.
How can I unsubscribe from emergency alerts?
You can opt out of the emergency alerts system in your phone’s settings, just search for 'emergency alerts', and turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’. You will not receive alerts if your device is turned off or in airplane mode.
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