Emergency alert blares from phones in Kamloops | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Emergency alert blares from phones in Kamloops

A Voyent Alert test notification blared through some cell phones in Kamloops at 10:30 a.m., June 8, 2022.

Some cell phones in Kamloops buzzed with an emergency alert this morning as the City of Kamloops tested its emergency system for floods and fires.

The test signal was sent at 10:30 a.m., June 8, and it could have been sent through text message, phone call, email or notification through the app.

Unlike the province's Alert Ready system, residents must sign up to receive notifications through Voyent Alert.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District used the Voyent Alert app last year when wildfires raged through the region, but the City only adopted it this spring.

READ MORE: High streamflow advisory issued for North Thompson River

"This is a TEST alert — no action is required," the Voyent notification read. It went on to explain emergency information and instructions would have been provided, if needed.

During the 2021 wildfire season, regional district residents signed up quickly to ensure they kept up to date on current evacuations.

In July 2021, Voyent Alert registration jumped from 2,000 to 11,000 within the regional district in a matter of days, as wildfires grew in the Thompson-Nicola.

READ MORE: Kamloops Mountie back on the hook over McDonald's burger incident

Voyent is being used by several communities across the province including the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District. No such system is in place in the Regional District of the Central Okanagan nor in the North Okanagan.

Users can input their home address, and more if they choose, which will let them know of any evacuations and emergencies that could immediately affect them. If you want to sign up, go here or download from the Apple App Store or Google Play.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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