SA Government’s ‘Alert SA’ emergency services app crashes again, on day of catastrophic bushfire danger
THE State Government’s emergency services smartphone app has crashed again - this time on a day of catastrophic bushfire danger.
THE State Government’s emergency services smartphone app has crashed again - this time on a day of catastrophic bushfire danger.
Multiple Facebook users have reported a failure of the app to load on its Facebook page. The app was also not working when tested by Advertiser.com.au staff.
The failure means residents in bushfire danger areas will not receive alerts about nearby incidents.
Emergency Services Minister Chris Picton promised the app would be fixed ahead of the summer bushfire season after it melted down in October, but acknowledged technology could not be relied on to work 100 per cent of the time.
Mr Picton said he’d put the app provider, Ripe Intelligence, “on notice” that the app issues were totally unacceptable and must be fixed immediately.
“The company’s chief executive will be requested to attend an urgent meeting tomorrow and the State Government will now be assessing whether to continue with the contract,” he said.
“I have also requested SAFECOM provide advice regarding options to restore the CFS app.”
In a post to Alert SA’s Facebook page, Justin Rocca said the app was “the biggest waste of Govenrment money ever”.
“This app is absolutely useless. There is a fire burning less than 2km from me and this app has nothing listed at all. What’s the point of it at all?,” he posted.
Evie Rogers posted that the app was “so dangerous”.
“Surprise!! AlertSA app stops working on a 43 degree day with wind. Deactivate your app, it does this constantly and is useless,” she said.
We’re now on (Country Fire Service) page trying to see where the fire near our town is. At least that works.”
Mr Picton also urged the public not to rely on a single source of information but to utilise a range of sources including the CFS and Alert SA websites, public radio, TV and news sites.
Alert SA has a website and mobile app for access to real-time safety information provided by 14 different agencies, including emergency services and government departments.
The app, which costs the State Government $250,000 per year, has been downloaded 170,000 times since its launch in 2015.