Up until now, your cell phone might have only been a facebook messaging, Instagram posting, selfie-taking, and texting device in your hand.  Starting today, (April 6) it could be a lifesaver thanks to a new national system designed to deliver emergency message directly to your smartphone.

Wireless public alerting means Albertans will receive messages about life-threatening emergencies on any cell phone connected to an LTE network within an area affected by a disaster or emergency.

The national system complements the Alberta Emergency Alert system which issues alerts through radio, television, social media and cell phones for critical issues in the province.  Tim Trytten, the Team Lead for the Alberta Emergency Alert Program says the new system simply reflects the changing way that people are getting their information.

"More and more we're getting our primary source of information from our cell phones and radio and T.V., which has been a real strong channel for delivering alerts for quite a few years is starting to become secondary.  We need to go where the people are and this becomes the way to do it."

Trytten explains that only the most serious alerts will be delivered by the new system.  "Situations where the danger is imminent. it's life-threatening or very serious and where we have some instructions.  In Alberta, that means we're talking about wildfires, Amber Alerts, floods, and tornados.  Those have been the big four we've had to deal with over the last few years."

Trytten believes the information the system will send out becomes critical as we head into April and the start of what he calls "hazard season."

"Most people don't realize that we had six tornados and nine wildfire events that required emergency alerts.  Those are the kinds of things that we want to be ahead of the curve and be able to meet the needs to keep the public safe."

The information sent out by the new alert system is able to be much more targetted than with the old system, according to Trytten.  "They're much more targetted because they'll be going out to a cell phone.  I want to stress that these alerts are going to be complementary to our existing program.  We're not stopping anything, we're just moving forward and adding to it."

People receiving the alerts are likely going to look for more information.  Trytten says you should also follow the Alberta Emergency Alert system through the website, social media or the app.  Further information, as well as a map of the affected area, is available through the other distribution channels.

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