We exist in a time where we rely on our mobile devices for almost everything – communication, work, travel, reading the news and, last but not least, our safety.
Established in 2023, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) has been on hand to provide vital information and guide the public when a life-threatening crisis is happening nearby.
A test of the alert system is set for later this year – here’s everything you need to know about it, who will receive the alert and what you should do when you receive it.
What is the Emergency Alert System?
The alert appears on a mobile device in the form of a notification, a vibration and a 10 second-long siren to capture the device owner’s full attention.
When has the Emergency Alert System been used?
The so-called “Armageddon alert” has been issued four times since 2023:
- February 2024: Urging Plymouth residents to evacuate upon the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb.
- February 2024: Issued to another group of residents in Plymouth to evacuate because of the bomb’s discovery.
- April 2024: Used to alert residents in Cumbria of flooding.
- December 2024: Alerted more than three million people living in areas heavily affected by Storm Darragh, mostly in Wales and South-West England.
When will I receive the alert?
The date device owners will receive the alert has not been announced yet, although it will be at some point later this year.
What will the test alert say, who sends it and who will receive it?
When it was last tested in 2023, the alert read: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”
Relevant government departments and emergency services are the only organisations able to send the alerts.
The message will be sent to around 87 million 4G and 5G devices.
What should I do when I receive the alert?
As the upcoming alert is a test, you won’t need to take any action. Those who receive it will simply have to swipe or click on the message to acknowledge it, and then they’ll be able to use their device as normal.
If someone is driving when they receive the alert, the Government urges them to find somewhere safe to stop their vehicle before reading and acknowledging the message.
Yes. If you need your phone’s presence to remain concealed, there is an option to turn off alerts on your device’s setting or, if your device is switched off during the test, you will not receive a notification.