Emergency Alerts is a new service from the UK Government that is to be tested this summer. Emergency alerts work like a radio broadcast, explains the government; in an emergency, mobile phone masts in the surrounding area will broadcast an alert. Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert. The government doesn’t need to know your location or phone number.

What will it be used for?

Only the government and police can send such messages, and it will be used to warn people about life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding or terror attacks.

However, today’s alert is just a test, there is no need to worry about it.

The UK Government is publicly testing cell broadcasting technology that will alert people to emergencies, both nationwide and in their local areas.

Find out more at: https://t.co/y4HGCQWnXR pic.twitter.com/p0nxAQJkEJ

— Cabinet Office (@cabinetofficeuk) May 24, 2021

What’s going to happen today?

People staying within the area of East Suffolk will receive an Emergency Alert test. It will make a loud siren-like sound (even if the device is set on silent mode), the phone will vibrate and show a message on their phone or tablet screen.

It is important that understand that people will get alerts based on their current location – not where they live or work.

The Emergency Alert will appear on their device for 20 seconds and you will hear a loud siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds.

Those, who receive a test alert, don’t need to do anything today, claims the government.

What should you do if you hear the loud siren-like signal while driving?

Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency reminds people that it is illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving. Therefore, drivers should not read or otherwise respond to an Emergency Alert whilst driving.

“You should continue to drive and not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message” – DVSA recommends.