Civil Defense guidelines for your protection when receiving an emergency alert

The General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called on all citizens and residents to strictly adhere to preventive guidelines upon receiving emergency alerts via the National Early Warning Platform. This call comes as part of the relevant authorities' commitment to ensuring public safety and minimizing potential risks during emergencies, emphasizing that following official instructions precisely is the first and most important step to survival.

Development of safety systems and the national early warning platform

Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on developing its crisis and disaster management system to protect lives and property. With rapid technological advancements, the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies was launched, utilizing advanced cellular broadcasting technology to send immediate and direct warning messages to mobile phones within a defined geographic area. This significant development in alert mechanisms reflects a strategic shift from traditional methods to rapid digital response, enabling relevant authorities to warn the population in record time about various hazards such as severe weather, flash floods, or any other security or environmental crises requiring urgent intervention.

Top 7 Guidelines for Activating an Emergency Alarm

The General Directorate of Civil Defense outlined a set of crucial steps that must be taken immediately upon hearing or receiving an emergency alert , including the following:

• First: Remain completely calm and do not panic, while carefully following the instructions issued by the competent authorities.
• Second: Head immediately to the nearest safe place inside the buildings, preferably choosing an interior room away from glass windows to avoid the risk of being blown off.
• Third: Stay in safe places and do not leave them until an official announcement is made that the danger has passed.
• Fourth: Avoid leaving the house or building during an emergency, and stay away from open areas, roofs, and balconies.
• Fifth: If you are outside buildings when the alert is received, you must immediately take shelter inside the nearest available building or behind a solid and strong barrier.
• Sixth: Avoid gathering or getting caught up in taking pictures at dangerous locations, as this hinders rescue efforts and puts lives at risk.
• Seventh: If you are driving your vehicle when you receive the warning, immediately stop on the side of the road in a safe place, taking care to stay away from bridges, tunnels, and tall buildings.

Local and regional impact of promoting a culture of crisis response

Adherence to civil defense instructions not only protects individuals but also extends to safeguarding the entire community. Locally, proactive and informed response to warnings significantly reduces human and material losses and facilitates the work of rescue and emergency teams in the field. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in implementing a sophisticated and effective early warning system makes it a model for the Middle East in disaster risk reduction. This excellence reinforces Saudi Arabia's commitment to international standards for civil protection and emergency management and demonstrates its high level of preparedness to address various climatic and security challenges.

Contact numbers for the relevant authorities

The Civil Defense stressed the importance of immediately contacting the relevant authorities upon noticing any danger threatening public safety. Citizens and residents can call the unified emergency number (911) in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions. The number (998) is used in the rest of the Kingdom. Finally, the Directorate urged everyone to obtain information and follow instructions only through official channels to ensure accurate and reliable guidance that contributes to saving lives and property.