A provincewide test of British Columbia’s emergency alert system is set for Wednesday afternoon. The test will take place at 1:55 p.m. as part of Emergency Preparedness Week.

Officials say the alert will be sent to compatible cellphones and will also interrupt radio and television broadcasts across the province.

The message will be clearly identified as a test, and no action will be required from the public.

To receive the alert, cellphones must be turned on, connected to an LTE network, and not set to airplane mode or “do not disturb.”

Devices also need to be compatible with wireless public alerting and have up-to-date software.

The test is part of a national system used to deliver urgent public safety messages, and is conducted twice a year in British Columbia.

Emergency alerts can be issued for a range of situations, including wildfires, floods, landslides, tsunamis and extreme heat events.

Other alerts, such as those related to severe weather, earthquakes or police incidents, may be issued by federal agencies or law enforcement.

Officials say regular testing helps ensure the system is working properly and gives people a better idea of what to expect in the event of a real emergency.

Residents will also have an opportunity to complete a short online survey after the test to help evaluate how the alert was received.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.