The alert will make a loud 10 second siren sound on compatible mobile phones, smart watches and tablets, overriding ‘do not disturb’ and ‘silent’ mode.
Devices that are switched off or in aeroplane mode won’t receive the alert.
This test comes ahead of the national roll-out of AusAlert in October which will deliver alerts for emergencies including bushfires, floods, cyclones and public health and security threats.
The AusAlert system was created following the 2020 Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Management that assessed gaps in state-based emergency alerts currently in place.
Concerns have been raised that the alert could cause safety concerns for domestic violence victim-survivors who may have a concealed phone.
In response to this, the Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre has offered to store people’s devices during the test.
MEAC general manager Jan Phillips said those concerned could place their phone in an envelope labelled with their name and leave it at MEAC where it will be kept in a secure location.
“Organisations like ours are concerned about the alert as we work with community members dealing with domestic violence,” she said.
“The national emergency alert has highlighted the need for community members to have a safe place to leave their phones.
“We want to make sure the community feels as safe as they can in an uncertain situation.”
Ms Phillips said that they would continue working with domestic and family violence services as concerns about future AusAlert’s notifications continue.
MEAC is located at 23 Alexandra St, Mooroopna, and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm.
Find out more about it at www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/what-are-ausalerts
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