State Government encourages people to register for StateAlert

From tomorrow, Western Australians can register to receive emergency warnings direct to their mobile or email during emergencies such as bushfires.

Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson said the automated system StateAlert was developed by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and WA Police to issue community warnings where lives could be in danger.

Mr Johnson said the recent hot weather was a timely reminder that the bushfire season had begun, and that people and communities needed to be well-prepared.

"The State Government is committed to boosting community safety and StateAlert is another way to alert people in life-threatening situations," he said.

"StateAlert can send warning messages to an area as small as a suburban block through to an area as large as a local government shire.

"It is a free service and all home phones, including silent numbers, and mobiles will automatically be registered to receive a StateAlert message.

"However, mobile phone users will need to register if their residential address is different to their billing address.  

"People can also register if they want to receive alerts via email or for up to three additional addresses.

"This will be especially useful for people with friends or family with special needs such as the elderly and people with hearing, visual or physical impairments.

"It is also useful to small businesses and people who own multiple properties."

The Minister said StateAlert would not replace existing public information tools such as websites, information lines and the media - particularly ABC local radio.

"It is an additional tool that will be used to alert people in a specific location where there is immediate danger," he said.

"StateAlert will only be used for known hazards and where there is sufficient time to send a warning, so individuals still need to take appropriate measures to ensure their own safety.

"People should always be aware of their own surroundings and at times of increased risk like during bushfire season, be prepared well in advance and always monitor local conditions for change."

A community-based advertising and promotion campaign will begin next week to encourage people to register additional contacts or additional addresses.

From tomorrow, people can register online at http://www.statealert.wa.gov.au

People without internet access or who need help registering can call 1300 ALERTS (1300 253 787).