Starting Friday, a new alert system will be available on wireless devices.
Police officials in North Bay agree that having people receiving emergency alerts on phones will be helpful.
Your phone has the power to save a life.
During emergency situations, alerts will be distributed to compatible wireless devices connected through LTE, a mobile communications standard, by Canada's National Public Alerting System, Alert Ready.
The alert system has been distributing emergency alerts through TV and radio since 2015.
So how do the alerts work?
Martin Belanger is Meteorologist and Director of Content and Products at Pelmorex Media.
"Alert assures will access the system and create an alert by deciding what kind of situation is happening, what locations are under the threat, and they will likely also provide instructions so that Canadians can remain safe." said Belanger.
People around North Bay like the idea of being alerted of an emergency through their phone, especially when they might be away from home.
"I think it's phenomenal they do have the alert, because if any kind of emergency, it's always good to be aware. Especially to be travelling to work or you know if you're going out of town, or you have plans or family elsewhere." said one woman.
"Well, I don't know much about it, but I think it's probably a great idea, you know if you're away from home and not near a TV, it would be perfect." said another.
Police say expanding to wireless devices will create a greater reach, especially to people who might not have cable.
Rick Dubeau is a Staff Sergeant for North Bay Police Service.
"It’s to assist people and to inform people of what is coming. If it's an alert for weather, it's because there's a storm coming or there's a flooding that's going to come. It's just to notify people of it, to be cautious of it or to take cover or put yourself in a safe situation." said Dubeau.
In a statement the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association says nearly 31-million Canadians subscribe to a wireless service and 99% have access to LTE networks.
