School Calendar

Subject: Test Alert Across Alberta – Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 1:55 p.m.

Dear colleagues:

As you are aware, Albertans can receive messages about life-threatening emergencies, such as tornadoes, wildfires, floods, or Amber Alerts, directly to their cell phones. This wireless public alerting is a national initiative that works with the Alberta Emergency Alert system to send potentially life-saving emergency instructions to all connected/compatible cell phones in the threatened community.

On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 1:55 p.m., the National Public Alerting System will send a test alert across Alberta to all broadcast platforms. During the test, an alert will go off followed by a text message letting cell phone users know the sound is part of a test and there is no need for concern.

As these test alerts can serve as an important teaching moment with Alberta’s youth, I encourage you to review the attached activity guide and consider ways this information can be incorporated into the classroom. This initiative helps empower students to have a conversation with members of their household about how ready they would be if the alert were real, and what steps they can take towards becoming more prepared.

Schools can also use this opportunity to schedule a practice drill that coincides with the alert and to send students home with preparedness information that will generate discussions with their households. Alberta’s government has created the Be Prepared program to support this work. Watch this 1-minute video and visit alberta.ca/CommunityPrep for resources to help.

Wireless public alerts are delivered directly to compatible cell phones that are connected to an LTE network within an area affected by a disaster or emergency. Federal laws require these alerts, so it is not possible for Canadians to opt out of receiving life-saving messages directly to their cell phones. Find out if your cell phone is compatible by checking with your cell phone provider or online at www.alertready.ca.

To learn more about emergency public alerting in Alberta, visit www.alberta.ca/about-emergency-alerts.

If you have questions about the test alert, or the Alberta Emergency Alert program, please email Alberta.Emergency.Alert@gov.ab.ca.

Sincerely,

Lora Pillipow

Deputy Minister