Public to get red alerts via SMS if a major emergency happens

The feature is already available to StarHub subscribers.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean unveiled an SMS-based alert system that will notify people during major emergencies.

The sytem was launched at Pasir Ris West’s Emergency Preparedness Day, which was held on Saturday at an open field beside Pasir Ris MRT station.

The SMS alert is a feature available to StarHub subscribers since August and has been used by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in two separate incidents in a trial. One was at The CK Building fire in Tampines on Aug 17 and the other one was at Jurong West market fire on Oct 11.

The two other telcos, Singtel and M1, are working with MHA to integrate the app to their system by end of 2017.

Regardless of whether they use a 2G, 3G or 4G phone, all prepaid and post-paid subscribers will be receiving SMS alerts from the number 71250. Travellers roaming on one of the three telco service providers will also receive alerts.