Emergency Public Warning System

{{about|the system in Alberta|the generic concept|warning system}}

{{One source|date=May 2022}}

{{confused|Public Warning System|Integrated Public Alert and Warning System}}

The Emergency Public Warning System was a system used in the province of Alberta, Canada until October 2011, whereby local or provincial authorities could warn the public about impending or current emergencies affecting their area. The system was proposed by the provincial government after an F4 tornado ripped through Edmonton, Alberta on July 31, 1987, killing 27 people and causing millions of dollars in damage.

The EPWS could be activated by local police, fire, and environmental agencies; by Environment Canada; and by other provincial and local authorities as required. It could be activated for any of the following reasons:

• Severe weather
• Flood
• Wildfire
• Hazardous material release
• Terrorist threat
• Water contamination
• AMBER Alert
• Other threats to life, property and safety.

The EPWS was originally operated by the CKUA Radio Network, but was later operated by Black Coral Inc., a private company headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/contract-loss-forces-job-cuts-at-ckua-1.974606 |title=Contract loss forces job cuts at CKUA |date= January 12, 2010|work=www.cbc.ca |accessdate= May 20, 2010}} It was rebroadcast through various television and radio stations and cable systems provincewide.

In 2011, it was replaced by Alberta Emergency Alert.{{cite news |date=3 October 2011 |title=Digital alert system hard to decipher: critics |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2011/10/03/calgary-alert-hard-hear.html |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=CBC News}}