The government of Alberta developed a public warning system as a result of the 1987 tornado that struck Edmonton and the surrounding area. This system, called Alberta’s Emergency Public Warning System (EPWS) was created in 1992. This system warned the public of imminent danger. The EPWS was the first rapid warning system of its kind to use media outlets to broadcast critical life-saving information directly to the public.
In 2011, EPWS was upgraded and renamed “Alberta Emergency Alert”. Alberta Emergency Alert was developed to address the changes in technology as radio and television moved from analogue to digital.
Alberta Emergency Alert is a model of effective co-operation between government and broadcasters. Its availability to local government emergency management officials and key agencies in order to issue warnings is highly regarded within the emergency management community.