Since first launching the new system earlier this year, more than 650 people have been trained on the new Alberta Emergency Alert system.
Municipal Affairs Minister Hector Goudreau touted the system’s successful rollout and took another opportunity to talk about the system at the Edmonton Police Service headquarters on Tuesday.
The new system uses digital technology to transmit emergency bulletins and Amber Alerts over more traditional means like television and radio, as well as newer media like Facebook and Twitter.
Since the province launched the system earlier this summer, thousands have signed up for both the Twitter feed and Facebook page, and 11 alerts have been sent out.
Goudreau said the alerts are for important emergency information and Albertans should respond accordingly.
“When an alert happens, we want Albertans to stop what they are doing, listen to the alert and respond based on the information.”
Goudreau said he was particularly pleased that so many people had been trained on the new system in local communities so they could directly access it in a crisis.
“The model works because all of our authorized users are provided access to the alert system,” he said. “They are the ones that know the risks in the areas and the best ways to deal with them, and Alberta Emergency Alert gives them the ability to quickly warn residents when emergencies occur.”
