Millions of people across the West Midlands are being reminded they will receive a test message from the Government’s new emergency alert system this Sunday (April 23).
A loud, siren-like sound and vibration accompanied by a text message will be sent to compatible mobile devices at 3pm as part of a nationwide test of the system which has been introduced to alert the public to life-threatening situations.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is urging people to help raise awareness of the test amongst friends, family and neighbours but to also consider advice from the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) office if they are a victim of domestic abuse.
The PCC’s victims’ commissioner has warned that victims could be at increased risk of harm if their abusers learn about their concealed phone and have urged them to consider disabling their mobile device ahead of the test.
Claire Dhami, the WMCA’s head of systems change and inclusion, said: “This emergency system serves as a vital tool to protect and preserve life and the purpose of the test is to ensure it is functioning properly and that people are aware of what to expect if they receive an alert in the future.
“Some people may consider Sunday’s alert an inconvenience but they should remember that the next time they receive this notification, their life could be at risk.
“So, while there is an obvious need to test the emergency alert system, it's also crucial to emphasise that anyone with a concealed phone and who may be put in danger by its activation, should consider turning it off for their own safety.
“Domestic abuse victims use concealed phones as a lifeline, which enables them to contact family and friends or use them in an emergency. It is important that people know how to properly deactivate this emergency system as they will still receive the alert even if their device is on silent.”
All UK 4G and 5G phone networks on mobile devices with compatible software will receive the emergency alerts: iPhones with iOS 14.5 or later, as well as Android tablets and smartphones with Android 11 or more.
But the alerts can be disabled by switching off the device or putting it into airplane mode.
It is also possible to opt out of the new emergency alerts. To do this on an iPhone:
On Android phones and tablets:
A video from the PCC’s victims' commissioner Nicky Brennan about the emergency alert test can be viewed here
Further information about the new emergency alerts is available at www.gov.uk/alerts/opt-out
