Australia tests national emergency alert system

newsJul 27, 202623433

Australia carried out the first nationwide test of AusAlert, the federal government’s new national warning system, sending a simultaneous test message and a siren-like tone to millions of devices. Devices vibrated and played the warning sound for about 10 seconds at a "critical alert" level, so notifications could override silent and Do Not Disturb settings. The test reached most phones and some smartwatches and tablets but not older or unupdated devices, or devices without mobile signal; some recipients reported the heading read "Presidential Alert" or "Extreme Threat Alert" on certain phones. AusAlert messages can be targeted as precisely as within 160 metres and will eventually replace the SMS-based Emergency Alert system that still delivers to landlines. The system was created in response to the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and is slated to launch in October, with future uses including bushfire, flood, cyclone, biosecurity, health and public safety warnings. The National Emergency Management Agency said the test aimed to measure how different devices behaved; concerns flagged during the test include risks for people using hidden or "safe" phones in family and domestic violence situations. A viral clip and coverage noted pets and people were startled by the loud tone, including a video of a cat named Harry reacting to the alert.

Pup Fiction

@pupfiction.bsky.social

How they did emergency alerts in Australia before mobile phones

1143h ago

Stevie Rae Williams🍷🐈‍⬛14

What’s that Skip? The ALP has morphed into the LNP & the LNP has morphed into ON & ON has morphed into Barnaby Joyce’s alcohol support program?…

Wolfie Rankin13

That's the sound we need, the old gum leaf whistle.

Simon Rosenberg6

'What's that Skip? The self-proclaimed next prime minister has just been confirmed by the Federal Court as a legally adjudicated racist?'

simongarlick3

now I'm singing the theme tune, damn your eyes

Salman Lowe RN BN MCN3

What's that Skip...a 5.6 earth tremor under Melbourne Uni?

Bronwyn Clark1

Thank you. I needed this laugh 💜

Fraser

@condimentwords.bsky.social

Just confirmed with a government spokesperson that if you didn’t receive an Emergency Alert on your phone today, it means you don’t matter and no one would miss you in a disaster

833h ago

moby dickgirl

@eigenvectrix.myatproto.social

A number of different people reporting that the test messages they received today from AusAlert, Australia's new emergency broadcast system, had "Presidential alert" at the top. To be clear, Australia does not have a president

543h ago

moby dickgirl27

Now I'm wondering if this is some esoteric backroom deal we struck where we spend way more than we have to on the technology behind the US Emergency Alert System in order to slob Donald Trump's stubby and unwashed little knob just that bit harder

Shaun4

I assumed it was just copy pasted US tech, yeah

Feena van3

What did they use AI?

ourotheboros.bsky.social3

maybe it's like a tornado watch/warning type deal

GenderQueeries 🇨🇦2

Fwiw, you use a variation of the Common Alerting Protocol and cell companies don't gaf and just use US alert software, where presidential alert is coded in as the highest alert level. And your regulators care even less about ensuring this is done right. Greetings from the equally mediocre Canada.

phoebe headkittens2

yeah, my custom rom phone got presidential bsky.app/profile/head...

Dr Monique Ryan

@mon4kooyong.bsky.social

Today at 2pm, the govt will test AusAlert, Australia's new national emergency warning system. A loud siren alert will be sent to all mobile devices in 🇦🇺 including most phones and some tablets and smartwatches at 2pm (AEST). Putting your device on silent or Do Not Disturb will not stop the alert.

188h ago

Dr Monique Ryan12

If you have a hidden or safety phone: At least one hour before 2pm today, turn your device off or switch it to aeroplane mode. Leave it off or in aeroplane mode for at least one hour after the test to be safe. If possible, keep the device out of earshot before turning it back on.

Quoting this

Sharty Mcscrote (Sandy D AU) 🍉🍉3

With Albo in charge we sure as hell are going to need all the warning sirens possible,cos he is one useless motherfucker #WeAllGonnaBurn #AlboTheBeigeAlbatross #auspol

MsPraxis

@mspraxis.bsky.social

My son rang my dorrbell at pretty much the same time so I had doorbell and 2 phones go off 😂 #NationalAlert

214h ago

Kay Orchison

@kayorchison.bsky.social

National emergency alert system test just now, every device in the house sounding an alarm at once, cats basically levitating To anyone in an abusive situation, if your secret phone has been found, don't wait, seek help now Call 000 if you are in immediate danger or 1800 737 732 if expecting it

104h ago

Josh W

@mariobones.bsky.social

“There was a horrible screeching coming from my phone just now!” “Oh, from the emergency alert?” “No, I got a call from my freaking ex-wife!”

164h ago

Fiona Tribe

@fionatribe.bsky.social

Even though I knew that emergency alert test was coming, my anxiety levels spiked and I now need a cup of tea and a lay down.

144h ago

🔞Abby Smuttysquid ACAB BLM 🍉[COMMS OPEN]

@smuttysquid.bsky.social

they just tested the emergency alert notification in aus and i jumped outta my gotdamn skin

144h ago

deer

@boneccrone.bsky.social

Deer is marked as safe from the National Emergency Alert

133h ago

Ginger Beef 🫚

@itsgingerbeef.bsky.social

Learning just how many of my moots are indeed aussie by the way they all seem very bewildered by the emergency alert on their phones today haha

133h ago

Zander Hulme ~♪

@zander.supertonic.au

I recorded the national alert, but I assume it would be illegal to actually put the recording into any projects (it's illegal to use cyclone warning alarms and similar stuff in broadcast media, so maybe this too?) But what if I turned it into a horrible synth lead anyway?

123h ago

André Brett

@drdrehistorian.bsky.social

Looks like the reason I didn't get it is because I use an iOS older than 26.4 Seems suboptimal to assume everyone is running the most recent OS when designing a national alert system (I even visited the website before today and hadn't noticed this page! they didn't make an effort to highlight it)

83h ago

Yllek

@yllekaj.bsky.social

Aeroplane mode worked 😁 All the ones around the house went off but mine stayed silent. My son came out laughing. Did anybody else's say:" Presidential alert?"😆 #auspol #NationalAlert

84h ago

Kipster

@kipstergull.bsky.social

Caller on radio complaining she didn't get the emergency alert. The she declares she doesn't have a mobile phone. Fuck me. These people vote.

53h ago

3 sources

abc.net.auHear that siren? That was the first test of a national emergency alert theage.com.auCat reacts to emergency alert smh.com.auCat reacts to emergency alert

Australia tests national emergency alert systemnews

Australia tests national emergency alert system

Related