The Alert Ready system — Canada’s National Public Alerting System — will be tested in Ontario on Wednesday May 7th at 12:55 PM. Alert Ready will send out a test message over television, radio, and compatible wireless devices (those that connect to LTE or 5G networks).
The test will simulate an emergency alert, however, it will indicate that it is a test and will require no further action. The system is checked once or twice per year — once in May, during Emergency Preparedness Week, and potentially once in November — to ensure the system is still functioning fully, and so Canadians know what to due in a situation that may require further action.
Alert Ready is used for various potentially life-saving alerts, including tornadoes, flooding, fires, and AMBER alerts.
In Muskoka, the Alert Muskoka system, powered by Voyent Alert!, will take place on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 10 a.m. Voyent Alert! provides location-specific notifications during emergencies such as floods, wildfires, severe weather events and other local crises.
Residents are encouraged to check that your Voyent Alert! app is active and up to date. Residents who have not registered yet can sign up to receive emergency updates by app, text, email, or voice call at www.muskoka.on.ca/alertmuskoka.
“The spring ice storm was a strong reminder of how quickly conditions can change,” says Terry Glover, Chair of the District’s Health Services Committee. “Staying informed early can save lives. Checking your emergency alerts is one of the simplest ways to be ready, not just for one season, but all year long.”
This year’s Emergency Preparedness Week theme, Plan for Every Season, highlights the importance of year-round readiness for any type of emergency. To learn more about emergency preparedness and how to register for alerts, visit www.muskoka.on.ca/be-prepared.
