The UK government has launched a new public warning system that sends emergency alerts to mobile phone users about events that may put their life in danger. The system, which is set to have a nationwide trial on April 23, has the potential to revolutionize the country’s ability to warn and inform people in immediate danger, according to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden MP.
The emergency alert system could be deployed in events such as severe flooding, fires, or extreme weather, and is said to be similar to successful systems already in place in countries like the Netherlands and Japan. Dowden stated that the system would strengthen national resilience and help keep people safe, and that the buzz of a phone can literally save a life.
The system has already been tested in successful trials in East Suffolk and Reading, and mobile phone users will receive an emergency alert on the home screen of their device, accompanied by a vibration and a loud series of beeps. The government emphasizes that the alerts will be used very rarely and only sent in situations where there is an immediate risk to life, so people may not receive an alert for months or even years.
The system works on 4G and 5G phone networks, and is estimated to reach about 90% of mobile phones in a given area. Users will be required to acknowledge the alert before they can use other features on their device, and the siren-like sounds will also occur even if the phone is on silent mode. However, alerts will not be received if a device is turned off or in flight mode.
New Life-Saving Alerts System revealed in the UK.According to government advice, the system uses the cell tower that a phone is connected to, and when an alert is triggered, all towers in the area will broadcast the alert. The government does not need to know the specific location or personal data on the device to use the system.
If a mobile phone user receives an emergency alert, they are advised to stop what they are doing when it is safe to do so and follow the instructions on the alert. It is also possible to turn the emergency alerts off through the settings of a mobile phone, but it is not recommended given the potential life-saving nature of the alerts.
Mark Hardingham, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, welcomed the new system, stating that it would help fire and rescue services to do their jobs and help communities in the event of emergencies. He noted that the system would be a valuable tool in keeping people safe in the event of a crisis.