‘Any delay could be fatal’: Is your phone blocking life-saving alerts?
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Natural disasters can strike with little warning, making it crucial for communities to receive clear and timely alerts.
But what happens when the very system designed to protect lives isn't fully understood or accessible to everyone?
Concerns are growing over gaps in emergency communications, with some regional communities still struggling to receive and interpret critical warnings.
Some regional communities believed there was still ‘a long way to go’ before the public fully understood the system designed to provide uniform emergency warnings across Australia.
The Australian Warning System standardised alerts for bushfires, floods, storms, cyclones, extreme heat, and severe weather, replacing previous inconsistent warnings.
National Emergency Management Agency deputy coordinator general Joe Buffone noted this had not always been the case.
‘Previously, we had different warning systems for different hazards, and now we've gone to a three-level warning system with standard iconology,’ Mr Buffone said.
‘So it doesn't matter whether you're travelling interstate [or] anywhere across the country, you're going to get the same symbols…with the specifics for you to take action, which I think is an important part.’
The system used three coloured alerts—yellow for advice, orange for watch and act, and red for emergency warnings.
Mr Buffone explained that ‘advice’ meant a hazard was in the area but not an immediate threat, urging people to stay informed.
‘Watch and act’ signified a danger to life and property, requiring immediate action.
An ‘emergency warning’ indicated a life-threatening situation where any delay could be fatal.
The warning system was developed after extensive research, particularly following Black Saturday, with more than 14,000 people surveyed on how they accessed and understood emergency information.
Bushfires initially drove the changes, with states and territories investing heavily in strengthening warning systems.
The Emergency Alert (EA) system was Australia’s national method for delivering warnings via voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobile phones.
Emergency Management Coordination Command Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream clarified that the Australian Warning System was not a physical system but a framework for consistency in public warnings.
In Queensland, local councils, the Queensland Fire Department, the Department of Health, and other agencies could issue EA warnings.
‘The QPS (Queensland Police Service) operates the EA system and has final approval on most EAs,’ Assistant Commissioner Stream said.
The system used a polygon mapping method to determine affected areas, working through local cell towers to send targeted messages.
Assistant Commissioner Stream said the alerts were effective during the north Queensland floods, with many people seeking safety in evacuation centres.
The State Disaster Coordination Centre sent warnings through multiple channels, including sirens, hotlines, social media, television, and radio.
Mr Buffone said multi-channel alerts were essential to ensure warnings reached as many people as possible.
ABC radio stations broadcast warnings.
Local government disaster dashboards provided flood, severe weather, and cyclone alerts.
Online updates were available for bushfires and extreme heat.
Queensland’s Western Downs faced significant challenges, with Mayor Andrew Smith noting that black spots meant doorknocking was still necessary in some emergencies.
‘In these life-threatening emergencies, some of our rural residents rely on the courage of our emergency personnel to brave rising floodwaters or escalating walls of flame to deliver these critical warnings and evacuation information,’ he said.
‘And in my mind that is critically, completely unacceptable.’
Cr Smith advocated for better connectivity in Canberra but said little progress had been made.
‘While there is some good talk coming out of those offices, our concerns are still unaddressed,’ he said.
He believed awareness of the system was improving but said there was ‘a long way to go’ before communication became fully effective.
Mr Buffone said an after-action review was conducted with the Queensland Police Service, Bureau of Meteorology, and local councils.
The review took place after Tropical Cyclone Jasper to refine the system.
Queensland Police Service Darling Downs district officer Douglas MacDonald said some people blocked the number that sent emergency alerts, creating a dangerous situation.
‘It operates on sending voicemails to landlines and text messages to mobile phones, and that number that it comes from is +61 444 444 444,’ Superintendent MacDonald said.
He added: ‘Understand that it's not a scam.’
He urged people to unblock the number and save it as a favourite so messages could get through even if phones were on ‘Do Not Disturb.’
Learn more about the Australian Warning System.
With emergency alerts evolving to keep communities safe, do you feel confident in the current warning system?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
But what happens when the very system designed to protect lives isn't fully understood or accessible to everyone?
Concerns are growing over gaps in emergency communications, with some regional communities still struggling to receive and interpret critical warnings.
Some regional communities believed there was still ‘a long way to go’ before the public fully understood the system designed to provide uniform emergency warnings across Australia.
The Australian Warning System standardised alerts for bushfires, floods, storms, cyclones, extreme heat, and severe weather, replacing previous inconsistent warnings.
National Emergency Management Agency deputy coordinator general Joe Buffone noted this had not always been the case.
Experts warn emergency alert system still misunderstood. Image source: ABC North Qld/Cameron Simmons)
‘Previously, we had different warning systems for different hazards, and now we've gone to a three-level warning system with standard iconology,’ Mr Buffone said.
‘So it doesn't matter whether you're travelling interstate [or] anywhere across the country, you're going to get the same symbols…with the specifics for you to take action, which I think is an important part.’
The system used three coloured alerts—yellow for advice, orange for watch and act, and red for emergency warnings.
Three-tier warning system aims to save lives. Image source: AFAC
Mr Buffone explained that ‘advice’ meant a hazard was in the area but not an immediate threat, urging people to stay informed.
‘Watch and act’ signified a danger to life and property, requiring immediate action.
An ‘emergency warning’ indicated a life-threatening situation where any delay could be fatal.
The warning system was developed after extensive research, particularly following Black Saturday, with more than 14,000 people surveyed on how they accessed and understood emergency information.
Bushfires initially drove the changes, with states and territories investing heavily in strengthening warning systems.
The Emergency Alert (EA) system was Australia’s national method for delivering warnings via voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobile phones.
Emergency Management Coordination Command Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream clarified that the Australian Warning System was not a physical system but a framework for consistency in public warnings.
In Queensland, local councils, the Queensland Fire Department, the Department of Health, and other agencies could issue EA warnings.
‘The QPS (Queensland Police Service) operates the EA system and has final approval on most EAs,’ Assistant Commissioner Stream said.
The system used a polygon mapping method to determine affected areas, working through local cell towers to send targeted messages.
Assistant Commissioner Stream said the alerts were effective during the north Queensland floods, with many people seeking safety in evacuation centres.
The State Disaster Coordination Centre sent warnings through multiple channels, including sirens, hotlines, social media, television, and radio.
Mr Buffone said multi-channel alerts were essential to ensure warnings reached as many people as possible.
ABC radio stations broadcast warnings.
Local government disaster dashboards provided flood, severe weather, and cyclone alerts.
Online updates were available for bushfires and extreme heat.
Queensland’s Western Downs faced significant challenges, with Mayor Andrew Smith noting that black spots meant doorknocking was still necessary in some emergencies.
‘In these life-threatening emergencies, some of our rural residents rely on the courage of our emergency personnel to brave rising floodwaters or escalating walls of flame to deliver these critical warnings and evacuation information,’ he said.
‘And in my mind that is critically, completely unacceptable.’
Cr Smith advocated for better connectivity in Canberra but said little progress had been made.
‘While there is some good talk coming out of those offices, our concerns are still unaddressed,’ he said.
He believed awareness of the system was improving but said there was ‘a long way to go’ before communication became fully effective.
Mr Buffone said an after-action review was conducted with the Queensland Police Service, Bureau of Meteorology, and local councils.
The review took place after Tropical Cyclone Jasper to refine the system.
Queensland Police Service Darling Downs district officer Douglas MacDonald said some people blocked the number that sent emergency alerts, creating a dangerous situation.
‘It operates on sending voicemails to landlines and text messages to mobile phones, and that number that it comes from is +61 444 444 444,’ Superintendent MacDonald said.
He added: ‘Understand that it's not a scam.’
He urged people to unblock the number and save it as a favourite so messages could get through even if phones were on ‘Do Not Disturb.’
Learn more about the Australian Warning System.
With emergency alerts evolving to keep communities safe, do you feel confident in the current warning system?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
