Be prepared: SaskAlert system test set for Wednesday

Cellphones across Saskatchewan will be squealing Wednesday afternoon.

At about 1:55 p.m., the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) will be conducting a test of its SaskAlert system.

“Regular testing of the system helps ensure that, in times of an emergency or disaster, urgent and lifesaving warnings can be distributed to the public by emergency management offices, including the SPSA,” agency president Marlo Pritchard said in a media release.

The SPSA said not all cellphones will receive the test alert Wednesday since some devices aren’t compatible or the device’s software may not be up to date.

The test is part of Emergency Preparedness Week in the province, which runs until Saturday.

The SPSA said residents should consider a number of things that would help them prepare for emergencies. Those include:

• Building an emergency kit with a collection of basic items around the house;
• Making an emergency plan;
• Researching and understanding the risks in the area;
• Taking simple steps to protect their home so they’re prepared if there’s a flood;
• Protecting their homes from wildfire by removing fire hazards around their houses, including dried-out branches, leaves and debris; and,
• Changing passwords on their private accounts to keep their private information from being compromised.

“Natural disasters and extreme weather are often top of mind when we think about personal preparedness,” Pritchard said. “But we need to prepare for other significant events, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cyberattacks or other emergencies, too. To be prepared, we must consider all hazards.”

More information is available here.