The exact wording of the Armageddon alarm test has been revealed today. The upcoming emergency alert trial will occur at around 3pm on September 7, the Government has confirmed.
Millions of mobile phones will show a message under 100 words, along with a loud alarm and handset vibration lasting about 10 seconds. The Cabinet Office disclosed that the alert will state: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK Government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.
The countrywide test of the Emergency Alerts system was announced by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden last month, alongside a new Resilience Action Plan aimed at improving how the government prepares for and responds to emergencies.
Mr McFadden said: “At around 3pm on Sunday, September 7, millions of people across the country will read this message on their mobile phones during a critical national test of our Emergency Alerts system.
“Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. The alerts have the potential to save lives.”
The upcoming message, bound for all 4G and 5G mobile networks throughout the UK, will specify its nature as a test, removing the requirement for any response.
It also includes a Welsh language sentence, directing speakers towards a completely translated version of the announcement.
Since the first nationwide trial of the Emergency Alerts system in April 2023, there have been five occasions of its use.
Furthermore, the alert mechanism was utilised when an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered in Plymouth in February 2024.
Tracey Lee, the chief executive of Plymouth City Council, commented: “This was the first time the system had been used in a real emergency, and it played a vital role in helping us safely evacuate over 10,000 people and coordinate a complex, multi-agency response.”
Emergency alert systems akin to this are in place in countries like Japan and the USA. In Finland, tests are carried out monthly, while nations such as Germany prefer yearly drills.
Ahead of the nationwide test, the government is running a public information campaign to inform people about its happening, with targeted communications for vulnerable groups like victims of domestic abuse. The campaign has also premiered the first national information video in British Sign Language.