Sherbrooke Record

Public alert system test coming next Wednesday

- Record Staff

Quebec’s Ministry of Public Security (MSP) is advising the public that it will be conducting a test of the province’s public alert system on Wednesday, November 25, at 1:55 p.m.

At the appointed time, a test message will be broadcast on television, radio, compatible wireless devices connected to an LTE network, on the ministry’s website and on the MSP’S Twitter and Facebook accounts. The message, which will specify that there is no real emergency and no danger to the health or safety of citizens, is intended to make the population aware of the display of the alert and sound signal in the event of a life-threatenin­g situation.

The “Québec En Alerte” system is meant to help quickly inform the public if there is need to take shelter or adopt other safety behaviors due, for example, to a risk of explosion, gas leak, flash flood, forest fire, tornado or other threat. It also allows the quick disseminat­ion of an Amber alert aimed at identifyin­g a child whose life could be in danger.

It is not possible to unsubscrib­e from this essential service. However, not all citizens will receive the alert test on their wireless phone. To receive the alert, the cell phone must be compatible and connected to an LTE network at the time the alert is initiated.

The emergency alert system is meant to complement traditiona­l media, social media and other citizen alert tools available to municipali­ties, such as automatic call machines and other software allowing massive sending of text messages or emails.

Alert messages will be sent in French and in English in order to reach the highest number of people as possible across Quebec.

Quebec’s alert system is part of a pan Canadian effort to implement electronic alert systems across the country and Wednesday’s test will coincide with tests in other regions of Canada. Since implementa­tion in 2018, more than 100 alert messages have been successful­ly delivered during real situations.

Anyone wishing to compatibil­ity of their just find out more on the alert system http://www.alertready.ca/ test the phone or informatio­n can visit

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