Press release
Public notice for people living in, or visiting, the border counties on Sunday 23 April
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
On Sunday 23 April, between 3pm and 4pm, the UK Government will test a new Emergency Alerts service across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
People living in, or visiting, the border counties may receive a message on their phone or mobile device, followed by an audio alert and a vibration of up to ten seconds. This emergency alert will look and sound different to other types of messages such as SMS 'text messages'.
The alert will be received even if the mobile device is set to 'silent' or 'do not disturb'. Devices do not need to be connected to WiFi or mobile data to get the alert.
There is no cause for concern and no action is needed.
Vulnerable people, including victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse, may carry hidden phones for personal safety reasons. Anybody in this position who would prefer if their phone did not sound, should turn their phone off or switch it to airplane mode.
Alternatively, phone users may opt out of emergency alerts (on their device), but this is advised against for people’s safety. People are encouraged to only disable emergency alerts if absolutely necessary. The Department of Justice has written to stakeholders, including domestic violence services and charities, to ensure that any vulnerable phone users who they are aware of in the border region are made aware of the alert.
The UK launched a new Emergency Alerts service across Britain and Northern Ireland on Sunday, 19 March 2023. This service enables the UK Government to send a message to all mobile devices to warn of a life-threatening emergency nearby, for example extreme weather, severe flooding or a fire. This service aims to provide clear information to help keep people safe.
For further information, please visit www.gov.ie/alerts.
ENDS
The UK Government has provided examples of what the emergency alert will look and sound like. Please visit www.gov.uk/alerts/announcements and YouTube.
The European Electronic Communications Code (EU Directive) requires Member States to have a national, mobile phone-based emergency text alert system. The EU refers to this as a Public Warning System (PWS). The system is designed to be able to warn citizens of an imminent risk to life arising from very severe weather or a natural disaster, where immediate action is required.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is currently working closely with the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence to progress a Public Warning System for Ireland.