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Monday, September 07, 2020
On Thursday, sirens sound for the first time in 30 years in Germany. During the first nationwide test alarm since reunification, different disaster warning options will be tested, such as sirens, messages via social media, and warning apps. How does the test alarm work and what happens on Thursday? ntv.de clarifies the most important questions:
What is the warning day?
The nationwide warning day will be held for the first time on September 10, 2020 and then will be held annually on the second Thursday in September. On the joint federal and state government day of action, all warning devices will be tested throughout Germany. At precisely 11 am, warning devices such as sirens go off simultaneously in counties and municipalities in all countries with a test alarm. The all clear continues at 11.20 am
What happens on the national warning day?
The warning day (s) are based on the federal modular warning system. Several “warning multipliers” are connected to this, which are supposed to propagate the test warning so that it reaches radios, television stations, and warning applications. At the same time, “community alert devices” are activated at the federal, district and municipal levels, writes the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief. These include, for example, sirens and speaker trucks. Billboards in the subway, newspaper offices, social media and news apps should also set off the test alarm.
Will sirens sound everywhere?
There will be many sirens howling, but the local authorities will decide exactly which warning devices are used. Sirens are a reliable means of warning, especially at night. His howl wakes people up when the television, radio and cell phone are on. People receive specific information, for example, through television, radio or the “NINA” warning app.
How does the NINA warning app work?
The federal emergency news and information app, “NINA” for short, was developed by the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK) in Bonn and is linked to the so-called modular alert system. This is the federal government’s satellite alert system that broadcasts BBK warnings and local warnings from control centers. NINA also receives weather advisories from the German Meteorological Service and flood advisories. The application is available for free for iOS and Android. NINA information is also displayed in other warning apps like Katwarn or Biwapp.
Why is there a day of warning?
According to the Federal Office, the national warning day should also make warning events better known. This could be, for example, fires or the appearance of radioactive radiation, but also power outages or natural hazards such as earthquakes or floods. The Federal Office also warns about pathogens such as coronavirus through the NINA warning app in special situations.
What are the goals of the warning day?
The national warning day aims to help increase awareness of emergency warnings and thus support the population’s ability to protect themselves.
Who is responsible for the warning day?
The federal government and the federal states are preparing the alert day at the national level together with local representatives. The BBK is responsible at the federal level, the respective interior ministries at the state level, and the authorities responsible for disaster control at the municipal level.
On what occasions is the population warned?
The alarm can sound on a variety of occasions. This includes:
- Natural Hazards
- Accidents at chemical plants
- Pathogens
- radioactivity
- Fire
- Gun violence, attacks
Warnings can come from different institutions depending on the danger zone, for example fire brigade, police, flood control centers or the German Meteorological Service.
Is there a general recommendation on how to behave in an emergency?
The BBK states: “With each warning, you will normally receive information about the danger and recommendations on what you can do to protect yourself. In general, stay calm, read the media and if necessary inform your neighbors.”
