What you need to know before tonight’s nationwide phone alert test

Mobile phone holders nationwide are being warned to expect a test Emergency Mobile Alert from NZ Civil Defence tonight.

Police have recommended that people with a “safety” hidden second phone to turn it off for the duration of the test between 6 to 7pm - in case the test unintentionally exposes that phone.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) tests the emergency system yearly, in every part of the country with mobile coverage.

When a threat to life, health, and property is expected, the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system provides “critical” information to New Zealand communities in emergencies.

This is the ninth nationwide test of the EMA.

In an emergency, it can be used by NEMA, Civil Defence and emergency services to send geotargeted alerts to all cellular handsets in a selected area.

NZ Civil Defence's Emergency Mobile Alert test is taking place today between 6pm and 7pm.

John Price of NEMA said the alert is a “valuable life safety tool”.

In marking the ninth year of annual tests, Price said it shows about 90% of New Zealanders receive the test, or are with someone who does.

Price said that while it’s an important channel, it’s only one of many ways to alert people in emergencies.

“We need people to listen to the radio, follow MetService and their local Civil Defence Group - and most importantly, trust their ‘danger sense’.

“If you experience rising floodwaters, a long or strong earthquake near the coast, or the telltale signs of a landslide, then don’t wait for an alert - evacuate immediately.”

Police issued a warning on social media to those with a second phone for their safety.

It is recommended to turn it off or put it in flight mode between 6 and 7pm to ensure it’s “not discovered” when the nationwide EMA is sent.

“Some mobile devices set to silent mode will still emit a sound when the Emergency Mobile Alert test is sent, so switching to flight mode or turning off your device is the only way to avoid the loud sound of the alert,” police said.

NEMA answered nine commonly asked questions about the test:

Can I opt out of receiving EMAs?

No. As the EMA system is about keeping you safe, there is no opt-out option. For this reason, we use the system sparingly, when there is a severe, urgent and certain threat to life, health or property.

Can I opt out of Sunday’s test?

The test will start shortly after 6pm and run until about 7pm, so if you turn your phone off or onto flight mode during this time, you won’t receive the alert.

Can I silence alerts?

Alerts can’t be silenced ahead of time as they override the silent function on most phones. If an alert sounds, you can mute it by pressing the volume control button.

Can you make it a nicer sound?

No. It’s designed as such to get your attention. It’s based on a global standard, so you’ll hear the same noise if you receive alerts in other countries that use cell broadcast alerts.

How did you get my number?

Don’t worry, we don’t have your phone number! The EMA reaches phones via a broadcast signal that’s targeted by area, rather than to individual phone numbers. Every cellphone connected to a tower in the broadcast area receives the EMA.

In a real emergency: Why didn’t I receive an EMA for a weather warning?

Civil Defence Groups only issue EMA’s in very severe circumstances, not every weather warning. EMAs will be used for thunderstorms, as they are very unpredictable and fast-moving.

MetService are NZ’s statutory warning provider.

NEMA said the best alerts come from nature: “So remember to use your danger sense and act immediately if you experience the natural warning signs.”

Why have I received the same alert multiple times?

Civil Defence sends each message “once”, but if people are travelling, they could receive the message multiple times as it connects to different cellphone towers.

If your phone has just updated its software, the alert could be repeated as its not recognised with the new software.

Why didn’t I get an alert?

• You’re outside the geographically targeted area
• You don’t have mobile reception, or your phone is turned off/on flight mode
• Your phone is an older model that isn’t compatible, or has missed a software update

I didn’t get the alert, but others in my house did - why?

This means you’re “over the border” of the targeted area, and with a different cell network.

Geotargeted areas don’t have a clean border, as cell towers for different providers are in different locations, so some “bleed” will occur for anyone on the “safe” side of the boundary.

Civil Defence is launching a map on June 19 so people can check where live updates were sent.