City of Port Coquitlam will be issuing a City-wide test alert through its emergency notification system, Alertable on Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. following the ShakeOut BC earthquake drill.
This will be the second public test of the system, which is designed to ensure the public has quick access to local information pertaining to emergencies, inclusive of evacuation alerts and orders, within or impacting the City.
Residents are asked to follow the instructions carefully so that the City can ensure the system is working properly. Please do not call 9-1-1 when you receive your test notification.
The test message will be clearly marked with the word TEST in written form and emphasized in voice recordings on Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. If an actual emergency occurs the word TEST will not be part of the messaging. Instead, the message will give specific details of the emergency and how one should proceed.
To prepare for the test, residents who have registered for the Alertable app are encouraged to:
- Ensure push notifications are enabled.
- Verify that the app is updated to the latest version.
- Re-download the app if it hasn’t been used for some time, as iPhones and Android devices may off-load unused apps.
The Alertable app is critical for keeping the public informed during emergencies, such as earthquakes. It provides concise, need-to-know information, including incident details and actions you should take, which could include evacuation, lockdown, or avoidance instructions. For more information and to download the app, visit portcoquitlam.ca/alertable.
Sign Up and Win!
Residents who download the Alertable app by Oct. 17 will be automatically entered to win a two-person emergency kit. Current app users will also be included in the contest.
Using the Alertable App
The Alertable app provides City-specific emergency alerts. Please note it is different from the national Alert Ready system, which delivers province-wide emergency notifications. To ensure you receive all relevant alerts, we recommend downloading the Alertable app.
App features include:
- Critical Alerts for large-scale emergencies, such as evacuation orders. Users can choose if these alerts override their phone’s silent mode.
- Location-based Alerts, with options to select your current location or the entire City of Port Coquitlam.
- Customizable Notifications for different alert types, including advisory alerts for disruptions and information alerts for news and events.
Download the app at portcoquitlam.ca/alertable.
Get Prepared
The more self-sufficient residents and businesses can be during an emergency, the more effectively the City can allocate resources to response and recovery efforts. The City offers the following preparedness resources:
- Alertable app for emergency notifications. Info: portcoquitlam.ca/alertable.
- Free emergency preparedness courses on November 23, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at No. 1 Fire Hall, 1725 Broadway St. Info and registration: portcoquitlam.ca/ep.
- Online resources at portcoquitlam.ca/ep, including the Are You Prepared? guide for residents and the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Businesses.
For more information about the City’s emergency planning resources, visit portcoquitlam.ca/ep or contact 604.927.5466.