Thread by @PennyDaflos

The #bcpoli govt tried to explain why BC is the only province that DOES NOT issue emergency text alerts 📵

I say "tried" because at best it was nonsensical, at worst it was political spin & misinformation ⚠️

Our Public Safety Min raised concerns --
about OVERcommunicating 🧐1/

https://twitter.com/CTVVancouver/status/1461190104920334338

Abbotsford's mayor said he didn't want to alarm "the whole city" about this evacuation, and the Min insisted he didn't want to "panic" a large area
BUT the @AlertReady system goes through targeted cell towers, so urban areas allow for more precision 2/

https://twitter.com/PennyDaflos/status/1460828150842101765

I spoke w @AlertReady myself and they explained:
➡️Govt decides where the risk is and warning needed
➡️There can be spillover msgs depending on cell tower range/overlap
➡️That's why the text msg is impt: "If you live in Sumas Prairie...if not..."
How would that cause panic? 3/

I am deeply concerned civic officials are held responsible for triggering it, but aren't fully briefed on the capabilities
Also, are they pressured NOT to use it?
Because since 2019, there've been 475 emergency text alerts in every prov - EXCEPT BC
Why?
4/
alertready.ca/alert-count/in…

Other provinces use the system for flooding, tornadoes and wildfires -- but we've had all that plus the heat dome, a town burnt to the ground and widespread infrastructure destruction in the past 4 months and...crickets
@HamishTelford was blunt about this #bcpoli failure:
5/

Farnworth gave a lot of justificns (incl record rain) but my jaw hit the floor when he said they don't expect to have @AlertReady in use till wildfire season(!)and ensure it works w "existing systems that are in place, that you're not overlapping & you're avoiding duplication."6/

Don't you want overlap and duplication in an emergency?? Doesn't that help ensure more people know there's a serious risk? Why just rely on Tweets, FB posts, @drivebc's website and highway signs they currently use when you could have that PLUS A FAILSAFE TEXT SYSTEM? 7/

Think about how brilliant the tech is:
🆘Calls start coming in about a serious slide, are confirmed by police, crews are dispatched
⚡️Meanwhile, @EmergencyInfoBC can remotely active an alert in minutes: drivers get a text warning about the danger zone as far away as EMBC wants 8/

I may be an idealist, but I don't think you can overcommunicate in an emergency, especially if your message is clear and concise about what's up, who's impacted, where, and what to do
This is a #bcpoli story I suggest you read AND watch 9/9
bc.ctvnews.ca/misinformation…