When you live in Alberta, being prepared for any emergency is part of the routine. The Alberta Emergency Alert System is your go-to resource for staying ahead of severe weather and other potential emergencies. Join us to learn more about this system to make informed decisions about your safety.
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Who Issues Emergency Alerts Alberta?
- Types of Alerts
- Canada’s Alert Ready System
- Precautions During Alberta Emergency Alert
- FAQs
What Are Alberta Emergency Alerts?
Alberta Emergency Alerts send out notifications to inform residents of potential, developing, or occurring emergencies within the province. These alerts cover a wide range of incidents, including natural disasters like floods, wildfires, and severe weather conditions, as well as critical societal events such as Amber Alerts or chemical spills. The purpose of these alerts is to provide timely information that can help protect citizens and their property.
Who Issues Alberta Emergency Alerts?
The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) issues the alerts. The AEMA coordinates with various municipal and provincial organizations to determine when to issue an alert. Local governments and emergency officials in specific areas can also issue alerts relevant to their jurisdictions, ensuring that residents receive the most pertinent and immediate warnings to safeguard themselves and their families effectively.
You can receive these alerts through various channels, including TV, radio, websites, social media, the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, and compatible smartphones.
Types of Alberta Emergency Alerts Issued
Alberta Emergency Alerts notify the public about the following types of emergencies:
- Natural Disasters: For events like tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and severe storms, which pose immediate threats to life and property
- Public Safety Emergencies: For hazardous material spills, industrial accidents, or significant disruptions that could impact public health and safety
- Amber Alerts: To locate abducted children who are believed to be in grave danger. These alerts provide details about the suspected abductor and the abducted child, encouraging the public to help in the search
- Civil Emergencies: For other civil emergencies, which may include major disruptions like significant power outages, infrastructure failures, or other events that impact large numbers of people
- Health Emergencies: For a public health crisis, such as outbreaks of serious illnesses that require immediate public action
Alert Ready: Canada’s Public Alerting System
What is Alert Ready?
Alert Ready is the public face of the National Public Alerting System (NPAS), designed to deliver critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians. This system ensures alerts are distributed directly to wireless devices through television, radio, and other media.
How Does Alberta Emergency Alert Ready Work?
Developed by collaboration of federal, provincial, and territorial emergency management officials, broadcasters, and wireless service providers, Alert Ready is a robust system designed to send alerts instantly.
Importance of Alert Ready
Public authorities use Alert Ready to inform the public about imminent hazardous and life-threatening events. This system plays a crucial role in ensuring Canadians are aware of severe weather alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada, enabling them to make informed decisions about their safety.
Who is Involved in Alert Ready?
The Alert Ready system is a collaborative effort involving:
- Public Safety Canada: Coordinates national security and the safety of Canadians across all federal departments and agencies.
- Emergency Management Officials: Federal, provincial, and territorial authorities responsible for public alerting.
- Environment Canada is the primary source for weather alerts and warnings in Canada and the most frequent supplier of alerts to the Alert Ready system.
- Broadcasters and Wireless Service Providers: Implement systems to air and disseminate alert messages for life-threatening situations, interrupting scheduled programming and issuing alert tones on wireless devices.
What Should You Do During a Severe Emergency Alert?
Taking prompt and appropriate action is crucial to ensure your safety during a severe emergency alert. Here are the steps to follow:
- Stay Informed: Monitor local news, weather stations, and official social media accounts for updates. Make sure to set your mobile phone to receive emergency alerts.
- Seek Shelter: If the emergency involves severe weather or environmental hazards, immediately move to a safe location. This could mean going to a basement or an interior room without windows if there’s a risk of tornadoes or high winds.
- Follow Official Instructions: Follow any evacuation orders or other instructions from emergency management or local authorities. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this might include evacuation routes, shelters, or specific actions.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit: Have an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, and other critical supplies. Include important documents and medications.
- Communicate with Family or Housemates: Make sure everyone knows the plan. If you are not together, use your family communication plan to confirm everyone’s safety and location.
- Secure Your Home: If time allows, secure your property. Bring outdoor furniture inside, shut off utilities if instructed, and lock doors and windows.
- Protect Pets and Animals: Bring pets inside and ensure they have enough food and water. If possible, move livestock or larger animals to a pre-determined safe location.
- Check on Neighbors: If it’s safe, check on neighbors, especially those needing additional assistance, such as the elderly or people with disabilities.
- Stay Put: Avoid traveling unless necessary. Roads should be clear for emergency vehicles and evacuations.
FAQs
Is there any Alberta emergency system weather app?
Yes, Alberta has an official app called the Alberta Emergency Alert (AEA) app. This app provides real-time alerts about potential emergencies, including severe weather events. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. The app not only notifies you about emergencies but also provides detailed information and instructions on how to stay safe.
What does alert do in Alberta?
These alerts can include warnings about severe weather, wildfires, floods, and other critical situations. The purpose of an alert is to provide essential information quickly and efficiently, enabling individuals to take immediate action to protect themselves and others.
How do I turn off the Alberta Emergency Alert?
You can adjust the Alberta Emergency Alert app’s settings to turn off non-critical alerts received through it. However, critical alerts that involve imminent threats to life cannot be turned off, as they are designed to ensure public safety.
What Should You Do During a Severe Weather Alberta Emergency Alert?
When you hear a severe weather alert, stay vigilant and monitor your local conditions through these top weather monitoring sites in Alberta.
Understanding the Alberta Emergency Alert System is key to navigating the challenges posed by sudden weather changes or emergencies.
Familiarize yourself with how alerts are issued and what steps to take when you receive one. If you need any help to understand the system, let us know in the comments below. We’d love to guide you!
