New Civil Defence mobile emergency alert passes the test
Thursday, 23 November 2017
If your phone gave you a unexpected surprise on Sunday evening, don't worry. You were not alone.
The new sound emitting from devices nationwide was the Civil Defence testing its new emergency mobile alert.
On Sunday, at staggered times between 6pm and 7pm, New Zealand's Civil Defence sent an alert to all cellphones that were on, capable and inside a targeted location.
Me for the last two weeks: “There will be a Civil Defence test on my phone on Sunday.”
Me two seconds ago: “What the blazes is THAT?!?”
— Chris Morris (@JournoMan) November 26, 2017
It's part of a new system designed to help keep people safe if there is an emergency, and the Civil Defence say it will only be used for 'serious hazards that involve threats to life, health or property, or in some cases for test purposes'.
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shot civil defence for giving me an absolute HEART ATTACK
— 🌺 (@nzgeorgiee) November 26, 2017
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'For example emergency mobile alert may be used to warn you of serious threats such as a tsunami affecting land areas, wildfire affecting people, armed offenders at large, or seriously contaminated drinking water,' a spokesperson said.
Only certain emergency agencies will be authorised to send the alerts, including police, fire, and other government departments.
Can I please change my Civil Defence alert to Club Tropicana?
— Karori Fry-Up (@troughbuoy) November 26, 2017
HOW IT WORKS
The alerts are broadcast via cell towers by authorised emergency agencies that will target the alerts to specific areas affected by serious hazards.
Unlike text message, the alerts are secure and do not require the private details of recipients.
A lil surprised iPhone doesn’t force ring through mute for the Civil Defence alerts.
— Robert Payne (@robertjpayne) November 26, 2017
The Civil Defence said the warning method is reliable in an emergency because it uses a dedicated signal which is not affected by network congestion.
It is free and there is no need to download an app or subscribe to a service, and you won't be able to opt-out of receiving them.
i didn't get that civil defence notification that everyone in nz got…….. do they like want me to die in the next natural disaster bc i agree
— esther (@btsjntro) November 26, 2017
WHO SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE ALERTS?
The alerts are not be available on all phones but Civil Defence expected around one third of phones will initially be able to receive the alerts.
A list of what phones are capable of receiving the alert can be found here.