Government to test public emergency alert system in western Saskatchewan

REGINA – Saskatchewan’s government is testing an alert system that will notify the public of emergencies including tornadoes, train derailments and wildfires.

The test phase for the system, dubbed SaskAlert, will start on Feb. 1 in the western part of the province.

The government plans to implement the program in early 2016.

Duane McKay, emergency management and fire safety commissioner, says the initial cost is insignificant and the program will cost about $700,000 to roll out province wide.

He adds that the alert program will eventually be part of a national system.

He says trained residents or officials in areas around the province will issue alerts, which will be picked up by media outlets.