Attack, storm, fire, nuclear accident… Protect yourself with FR-ALERT!

How does FR-ALERT work?

After the accidentLubrizol plant on September 26, 2019, in Rouen, a security memorandum and public alert systems were launched by the government. In question, the poor circulation of crisis information putting in immediate danger the residents of a disaster area. To meet this need, the Ministry of the Interior then began setting up a new alert network to complement existing systems (sirens, radio and TV networks, etc.).

The proliferation of crises, whether of natural or technological origin or resulting from human action, has led to a reassessment of systems for alerting and informing populations.
Ministry of Interior

This alert and information tool for populations was announced a few months ago by the government, and it is now operational. The device EN-ALERT covers events ranging from meteorological disasters (storms, floods, fires, etc.), technological incidents (SEVESO, nuclear, etc.), but also internal security elements, such as attacks.

🔴#FRAlert | With the new device #FRAlertif you are in the area affected by a major danger, you will receive a notification giving you instructions for:
🏠take shelter
🎒prepare yourself
ℹ️ inform you
😷protect yourselfhttps://t.co/QhSktEmk6q pic.twitter.com/eeSSDrtCt9

– Ministry of the Interior and Overseas (@Interieur_Gouv) October 18, 2022

No application is downloaded, after the flop of a first device requiring a specific tool to be downloaded. All 4G and 5G smartphones will receive, if the alert is triggered, a notification broadcast via specific waves of the mobile network. The alert is based on cell broadcast technology and spreads via base stations in an area defined by public authorities.

It is important to note that all affected smartphones receive an automatic update to be compatible with these alerts.

Regardless of your mobile, you are likely to receive this shrill sounding notification. If your mobile is not 4G or 5G compatible, you will however need to activate geolocated SMS.

National and local operation

The FR-ALERT system is therefore based on the possibility of broadcasting an alert to the population at a national or local level. The decision to trigger the device is up to the prefect, but when it comes to a danger “affecting the whole of the national territory or a large part of it” then the decision rests with the Prime Minister.

Dissemination follows a four-step process:

• The administrative authority prepares the message on the PAM (Multichannel Alert Portal)
• Notification is sent to operators for immediate distribution
• The information is launched in the area targeted by the public authorities
• All telephones in this territory receive the notification; operator’s customers, but also foreign people (tourists, etc.)

It is also possible for the mayors to indicate to the prefect the urgency of triggering the alert. The local elected official, with his hat of Director of Relief Operations, will be able to transmit the message as well as the zone concerned.

Also read: FR-Alert: what to do to receive anti-attack and disaster alerts?

Still adjustments to make for the emergency system

Announced October 18 by the Ministry of the Interior, the system therefore promises to be a powerful tool for the national territory, both in metropolitan France and overseas. However, there are still some adjustments to be made.

The most recent example, tornado having devastated residential areas in the Hauts de France a few days ago. The event, although concerned by the system, was not entitled to a local notification. In question, the sudden nature of the storm as well as the difficulty of identifying a location by the prefecture.

If this first event did not result in any casualties, fortunately, it is still to be hoped that the local authorities will seize this new civil security lever as soon as possible. A tool with real potential which, we hope, will not join the dusty shelves of administrative tools.