Not all mobile phones or landlines located in the Manning, Great Lakes, Port Macquarie and Kempsey areas impacted by fire will receive fire emergency messages issued by the Telstra operated Emergency Alert system.
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Some residents in the fire affected areas, and some residents in areas not close to the fires, have recently received warning messages over landlines or mobile phones.
A Tinonee resident last night received a mobile phone message alert at 11.58pm stating, 'NSWRFS EMERGENCY BUSH FIRE WARNING - Harrington Waters - Seek shelter as the fire arrives. Check www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or 1800679737.'
Tinonee is about 35 kilometres south of Harrington Waters.
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According to the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) the Emergency Alert system will "sometimes ... send messages by identifying mobile phones connected to towers in an area."
"Because of the way these towers work and the broad area they cover, people outside of the immediate area may receive a message."
There are numerous factors that can trigger an Emergency Alert message to a landline or mobile phone.
However, the NSW RFS advises "there are some limitations which may prevent you from receiving a message - such as, if your landline is busy, your mobile is switched off, or if there is no coverage in your area."
"If you are connected to the NBN, you should also be aware that your landline telephone may not work in the event of a power outage, and this may prevent you from receiving a message," a NSW RFS spokesperson said.
If you are connected to the NBN, you should also be aware that your landline telephone may not work in the event of a power outage, and this may prevent you from receiving a message.
- NSW Rural Fire Service
"For this reason, don't wait for a warning. Use a range of channels, including our website, Fires Near Me app, social media and local media to source information."
Residents in the Manning, Great Lakes, Port Macquarie and Kempsey areas do not need to register for Emergency Alert as it uses the national telephone database.
"Where there is an immediate threat to life, Emergency Alert messages may be sent. Typically, these incidents will appear on our website and in the Fires Near Me app with a red diamond and be labelled 'Emergency Warning'."
Emergency Alert messages can be sent:
- Based on your landline location - if your landline phone is in the warning area, your phone may ring and a recorded message will give you information about what you need to do.
- Based on your mobile phone's billing address - you may get a text message on your mobile, if your mobile phone's billing address is in the warning area.
- Based on your mobile phone's last known location - if your mobile handset has recently been in contact with a mobile phone tower in the warning area, you may receive a text message.
"The NSW RFS does not manage the Emergency Alert system. It is operated by Telstra and the NSW RFS is one of many users of the system."
Other Information
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
- For information on road closures, check http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au. Roads may be closed without warning.
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