This week, millions of Canadians received an emergency test alert on their mobile phones, but then again, millions did not.
“That’s why we test,” said Rob Squire, Edmonton deputy fire chief of planning and the office of emergency management.
Squire believes the alarm and text message received by your phone will transform how citizens react to an emergency warning.
“Everybody who has a phone connected to an LTE network in a specific area will receive the alert,” Squire said.
“I’ve read some studies where they say up to 95 per cent of people are within arms length of a cell phone at all times.”
The test took place during Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada, a week that Squires will cap off with Get Ready in the Park at Hawrelak Park on Saturday.
Rob Squire surveys Hawrelak Park for this year’s emergency preparedness event. (Adrienne Lamb/CBC)
“Fire trucks, police cars, helicopters, you name it, it will be here,” Squire said.
“It’s also a chance for people to take a pause and reflect upon how they would cope with their families and their pets in the event there was a disruption in their day-to-day lives.”
Visitors can meet STARS Air Ambulance personnel at Hawrelak Park. (CBC)