UK will test frightening ‘Armageddon alarm’ within weeks which will see thousands of people’s phones flash and set off alarms
- Millions will see their phone vibrate and sound an alarm as a warning of danger
- The system is designed to warn people if there is a ‘danger to life’ nearby
The UK is set to test a frightening ‘Armageddon alarm’ within weeks which will see thousands of people’s phones flash and set off alarms.
Millions will hear an alarm sound from their phone and will receive warning text messages as part of the government’s new emergency alert system trial.
The system is designed to warn people if there is a ‘danger to life’ nearby, with the imminent testing to focus on flooding and extreme weather conditions.
The phone owner will then be given details of the emergency along with advice on what to do and how to seek help.
Labour has been pushing for the system for more than a decade and ministers have been promising to introduce it since 2013.
Millions will hear an alarm sound from their phone and will receive warning text messages as part of the government’s new emergency alert system trial
Labour’s Shadow Paymaster General Fleur Anderson said the trial was ‘long overdue’
Emergency Alerts
The government may send alerts about the following:
- severe flooding
- fires
- extreme weather
- public health emergencies
In an alert (which will last for about 10 seconds) your phone may:
- make a loud siren-like sound, even on silent
- vibrate
- read out the alert
Emergency alerts will only be sent by the emergency services or government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies
Source: www.gov.uk
The government had also promised in August last year to launch it in October.
Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse revealed at the time that the new scheme would allow the government to ‘warn people much more comprehensively’ about imminent danger such as floods, storms, wildfires or terror attacks.
The National Resilience Framework published by the government in December then said the system would be launched in ‘early 2023’. But up until now here have only been local tests in Reading.
Labour’s Shadow Paymaster General Fleur Anderson said the trial was ‘long overdue’ and the government has been ‘haphazard in preparing for emergencies’.
‘This saga has dragged on far too long and left our country lagging far behind on keeping the public safe,’ she said according to The Sunday Mirror.
She added: ‘Labour has a plan for a more resilient Britain to ensure government is alert to the threats our country faces.
A Government spokesperson said: ‘Emergency Alerts will be a vital tool in helping us better respond to emergencies, both nationally and locally.
‘We have worked closely with the emergency services to develop this and carried out extensive trials ahead of its national rollout. We expect to update shortly.’
The government has been contacted for further comment by MailOnline.
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