On September 26, the Canary Islands government will conduct a test of the ES-Alert emergency notification system in Gran Canaria. This system is designed to send alerts directly to mobile phones during emergencies such as wildfires, floods, or severe weather, and this test aims to ensure that the system works smoothly and effectively.
The test will take place between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, during which residents and visitors in Gran Canaria with 4G or 5G mobile phones may receive a test message. The message will be accompanied by a loud sound and vibration to grab attention. Once the message is read and the “Accept” button is pressed, the notification will disappear from the phone screen. It’s important to note that the message is only a test, marked with the word “PRUEBA” (test), and does not require a response or call to emergency services.
The ES-Alert system has been tested in other Canary Islands before, but this is part of ongoing efforts to make sure the population becomes familiar with it and to improve its reliability. The system allows emergency services to send important instructions to people in specific areas during disasters like fires, floods, volcanic eruptions, or other serious events.
Residents of Gran Canaria are encouraged to spread the word about the test, especially to elderly family members, to avoid unnecessary worry or confusion when they receive the message. For those who may be driving during the test, it is advised not to panic. Instead, drivers should stop in a safe place before checking the message and pressing “Accept.” It’s important that the public remains calm and understands that this is a routine test of the system.
Although the test is focused on Gran Canaria, due to the range of mobile towers, it is possible that people in parts of nearby Tenerife and Fuerteventura may also receive the alert.
For the system to work, mobile phones must have the data connection active and have the option to receive emergency alerts enabled. Most modern smartphones (with Android version 11 or higher or iOS version 15.6 or higher) have this feature activated by default. If a phone has older software, users are encouraged to update their devices to ensure they can receive these alerts. More detailed instructions can be found on the Canary Islands emergency services website (112 Canarias).
The ES-Alert system is part of Spain’s National Civil Protection System and has already been used in real emergencies, such as during the wildfires in La Palma and Tenerife last year. This tool complements other traditional ways of warning the public, like TV, radio, social media, or loudspeaker announcements. It provides quick, direct communication with people in affected areas to keep them informed and safe.
This test is a valuable opportunity for emergency services to improve the system and ensure it is ready for real-life situations, keeping residents and visitors of Gran Canaria safe during potential future emergencies.
Source: https://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/noticias/el-sistema-de-aviso-a-la-poblacion-en-caso-de-emergencia-es-alert-se-prueba-el-26-de-septiembre-en-gran-canaria/
