"Whether that be by listening to the radio or logging on to your computer to check our Facebook page."
The five alerts tested yesterday were helicopter-mounted systems in Wairoa, sirens in Napier, vehicle-mounted sirens called "stingers" in Hastings, telephone calls in Central Hawke's Bay and the Red Cross alerting application on cellphones.
Mr Macdonald said Napier's sirens were activated in a new way by using a cellphone instead of a radio. However he said eight of the 17 sirens involved were not set off and would require further work.
Distance tsunamis, flooding and ash falls were all examples of emergencies which would set off the public alert systems, Mr Macdonald said.
While hailed a success, yesterday's systems test highlights areas that need improvement and the Hawke's Bay community can help by joining the Civil Defence's Facebook page and subscribing to the Red Cross application, Mc Macdonald said.
Facebook comments on a Hawke's Bay Today article last night revealed the Hawke's Bay public had mixed feedback on the systems test.
Ange Brunton said she could barely hear then while working in a building on Marine Parade with the doors open and Helen Wenley said she heard them on Bluff Hill but agreed they could have been louder.
"They could've been louder because if I had been inside with windows and doors closed I probably would not have heard them."
Krystle Bulled said the systems test was "very well done" along with beach front in Te Awanga as she heard and saw a car drive past with a loud speaker.
Both Nicola Carter-Truuts and Jesse Amber said they were in the Napier CBD and didn't hear anything.
The public were told to let the Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Management Group know they had heard the alerts on Sunday by visiting their website to complete a survey. Mr Macdonald said the results of Sunday's test would be analysed today.
Public alert systems are tested every time the clock is set backwards or forwards for daylight savings and will be happening again this year in September.