Emergency alert system via mobile phones to be set up by 2026

This will let authorities quickly notify the public in the affected area of an incident

- Nadine Chua

People in Singapore will be alerted to emergencies on their mobile phones via a disaster alert system that will be progressively implemented by early 2026.

Law Minister Edwin Tong said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is working with local telco companies to set up the Cell Broadcast System.

The system will enable the authorities to quickly alert the public in the affected area of an incident and broadcast emergency messages directly to their mobile phones, he said on Aug 20 at the Asean Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management.

"The messages will provide the public with very clear guidance on the protective measures which they can take."

Mr Tong, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, was addressing around 230 guests, including government officials, representatives from non-governmental organisations and professionals in disaster relief and management, at the dialogue held at Grand Hyatt Singapore.

The Cell Broadcast System is in addition to the current Public Warning System, which comprises a network of sirens, and SCDF's myResponder App, which alerts the public to respond to nearby minor fires and cardiac arrest cases.

Singapore also has SGSecure, which focuses on acts of terrorism.