New safety rules will require broadcasters to transmit warnings during emergency situations, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced Friday.

Starting March 31, 2015, the CRTC will require most stations to broadcast alerts during emergencies, the CRTC said in a statement.

These alerts may be issued to warn Canadians of "Amber Alerts, tornadoes, forest fires, floods, meteors, water contamination and industrial disasters," the release said.

Chemical spills or train derailments could also prompt alerts, the CRTC said.

"We are making sure that broadcasters and television service providers play their part in improving the security and safety of Canadians," CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said in the release.

"Today’s decision ensures that Canadians will have access to important local safety messages when these notifications are issued by authorities."

Most stations, such as cable and satellite companies, radio stations, over-the-air television stations, and video-on-demand services, have until March 31, 2015 to enforce the new requirements. Campus, community-based, and Native broadcasters have until March 31, 2016.

Right now, the National Public Alerting System is voluntary, the commission said.

The latest CRTC guidelines do not extend to mobile alerts, but the commission said it plans to help develop cellphone notifications in the future.