‘Urgent and lifesaving warnings:’ SaskAlert test planned for Wednesday

Saskatchewan’s provincial alert system will undergo a test this week.

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, the SaskAlert system will be tested on Wednesday at approximately 1:55 p.m. The alert will appear on mobile devices and the SaskAlert app, as well as radio and television.

Marlo Pritchard, president of the public safety agency, said the alert system is tested twice a year.

“These tests ensure that urgent and lifesaving warnings are distributed to the public by emergency management officials, including the SPSA, as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Pritchard said in a statement.

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The agency said there are a couple of steps to ensure the alerts appear on phones.

“The public is encouraged to download the SaskAlert app and to check their device compatibility on their mobile service provider’s website,” the agency said. “They can also ensure that their device has the latest software update installed.”

So far in 2023, the alert system has been used 630 times.

The vast majority of those alerts – 594 to be exact – were related to weather.

More information on the provincial alert system can be found on the SaskAlert website.