Emergency alert drill will be ‘biggest public safety exercise in UK history'
Pat McFadden said mobile phone alerts could save lives during raging storms or when wildfires break out.
On Sunday Sept 7 at around 3pm, mobile phones connected to 4G and 5G networks will vibrate and emit a siren sound for up to 10 seconds. A message will also appear on phone screens, making it clear the alert is only a test.
The alert will coincide with the 85th anniversary of the start of the Blitz.
The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather, and will allow vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency.
It will be the second time such a test has taken place. The first was in April 2023 as part of a government commitment to familiarise the public with the alerts. Countries such as Japan and the USA also test similar systems.
Five alerts sent
Since April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk.
The Government used the system in January during Storm Eowyn to warn people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about severe weather and approximately 3.5 million people across Wales and south-west England received an alert during Storm Darragh last December.
A warning was also triggered in February 2024 when a 500kg unexploded Second World War bomb was found in a Plymouth back garden.
Mr McFadden said: 'From major storms to wildfires, this system could save your life in an emergency.
'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it.
'This test will be one of the biggest public safety exercises in our nation's history. Mark the date, spread the word and take a moment to think about how you would respond in a real emergency.'
The text message that phone users will receive reads: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK Government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby.
'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
'Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.
'Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i gov.uk/alerts am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.'
Some MPs have called on ministers to use different modes of communication for the alert to ensure that it reaches people who do not have access to a phone.
Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesman, has suggested that the Government follow Scandinavian examples where the public has been handed pamphlets about preparing for emergencies.
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