Organization : Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management
Facility : Emergency Mobile Alert Service
Country : New Zealand
Website : https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/get-ready/civil-defence-emergency-management-alerts-and-warnings/emergency-mobile-alert/
Civil Defence Emergency Mobile Alert Service
Emergency Mobile Alerts are messages about emergencies sent by authorised emergency agencies to capable mobile phones.
Related : GETS Government Electronic Tenders Service New Zealand : www.statusin.org/8254.html
What are Emergency Mobile Alerts?
Emergency Mobile Alerts are messages about emergencies sent by authorised emergency agencies to capable mobile phones. The alerts are designed to keep people safe and are broadcast to all capable phones from targeted cell towers.
The alerts can be targeted to areas affected by serious hazards and will only be sent when there is a serious threat to life, health, or property, and in some cases for test purposes.
If you get an alert, read the message and take it seriously. It will tell you what the emergency is and what to do. It will also tell you which agency sent the message and if needed, where to go for more information.
How to Get it?
To get Emergency Mobile Alerts you need a phone capable of receiving Emergency Mobile Alerts. The phone also needs to have cell reception and up to date software. You don’t have to download an app or subscribe to a service.
1. Check if your phone is on the list of capable phones
2. Update your phone’s operating system software.
Please refer to your phone manual or talk to your mobile operator if you need help updating your phone. We expect one third of phones will initially be able to receive the alerts. However, we expect this number to rise substantially over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I opt out of getting Emergency Mobile Alerts?
As Emergency Mobile Alert is about keeping you safe, you won’t be able to opt-out of receiving Emergency Mobile Alert. We do not target specific phones, instead we broadcast to a targeted area that is at risk.
For this reason we are unable to exclude your specific phone. Your phone may show optional settings used in other countries, but in New Zealand we will use a special broadcast channel that is permanently on.
2. What does Emergency Mobile Alert look and sound like?
The look of emergency alerts will depend on the make and model of your phone. However, the alerts will have common characteristics. Emergency Mobile Alerts will tell you the situation, what to do, the time, the agency sending the alert, and if needed, where to go for more information.
3. What will Emergency Mobile Alert be used for?
Emergency Mobile Alert is designed to help keep people safe if there is an emergency. The alerts will only be sent when there are serious threats to life, health or property, and in some cases for test purposes.
For example, Emergency Mobile Alert may be used to warn you of serious threats such as a tsunami affecting land areas, wildfire affecting people, armed offenders at large, or seriously contaminated drinking water. Emergency Mobile Alerts will not be used for advertising or promotions.
4. Can I reply to Emergency Mobile Alert messages?
No, you will not be able to respond to the Emergency Mobile Alert message or contact emergency services through this system. In an emergency please call 111.
5. Where can I buy an Emergency Mobile Alert capable phone?
If buying a new phone, look for the Emergency Mobile Alert Identification Mark that may be displayed at point of sale. Check with your chosen mobile service provider as an increasing number of phones will be capable of receiving Emergency Mobile Alerts.