overview
The nationwide warning day in Germany is a coordinated event that was launched on the initiative of the federal, state and local governments. It takes place annually on the second Thursday in September and has the purpose of raising the population's awareness of possible dangers and emergencies.
Main objectives of the warning day
The warning day has two main concerns:
- Testing the technical warning infrastructure : This involves testing the technical infrastructure that works in the background of warning systems. It simulates how a real emergency would unfold in order to identify weak points and optimize the system.
- Information and public awareness : It is essential that people are aware of the different warning systems and how they should react if they receive a warning.
Process in Germany
A test alert is triggered at 11:00 a.m. on the designated day. This is done by the Modular Warning System (MoWaS) , which forwards the warning to various multipliers, such as broadcasters or app servers. These warning multipliers then distribute the warning to citizens' devices, such as televisions, radios and smartphones.
At the same time, states, districts and municipalities have the opportunity to test their own local warning systems. This can be done, for example, by loudspeakers or sirens.
An official all-clear is given at around 11:45 a.m., although there are exceptions such as the cell broadcast, through which no all-clear is currently sent.
Responsibilities
Various institutions are responsible for organizing and implementing the nationwide warning day. Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK) coordinates the measures. At the state level it is the interior ministries and at the local level it is usually the authorities responsible for disaster control.
Meaning
In recent years, various crises, such as the corona pandemic or the 2021 flood disaster, have highlighted the importance of reliable warning systems. In order to increase society's resilience, such systems must be regularly tested and optimized. This is the only way to ensure that they will work in an emergency.
Involvement of the population
While it is not mandatory for individuals to prepare for Warning Day, it may be helpful to do some research in advance. Especially since certain warning signals, particularly loud ones, could trigger fears or traumatic memories in some people, such as older citizens, children or refugees from war zones. Here it is advisable to have explanatory discussions in advance and to point out the harmless nature of the tests.
It is also important for pet owners to know that their animals may react fearfully to unfamiliar noises. So it makes sense to be prepared and to look after the animals accordingly.
| Information and question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What happens on the nationwide warning day? | The nationwide warning day is used to test the warning systems and trigger the warning devices. It is also intended to inform the population about how they will be warned. |
| Who is responsible for the nationwide warning day? | The preparation for the nationwide warning day is carried out jointly by the federal and state governments in coordination with local representatives. Responsible at the federal level are the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), at the state level the respective interior ministries and at the local level usually the disaster control authorities. |
| Where are which warning devices used? | This depends on the respective region and the warning devices available there. It is recommended that you find out more about this in your own municipality (e.g. in the town hall, at the citizen service). |
| Why is there a nationwide warning day? | Warning the population is intended to increase society's resilience to crises. The warning day has two main goals: to test the technical warning infrastructure and to provide the population with information about warnings and the various warning channels. |
| Is it necessary to prepare for the nationwide warning day? | No, but it can be helpful to find out how and where warnings are issued in your own community. |
| The trial warning could cause fear, has this been taken into account? | Yes, especially among older people, refugees from war zones and children. It is recommended to explain to those affected in advance that it is only a sample. Animals may also react sensitively, so pet owners should take precautions. |
| What obligations arise for employers on the nationwide warning day? | From the perspective of the federal and state governments, there are no special obligations for employers. However, you could contact your local municipality to find out whether local warning devices are activated. |
| Why does the nationwide warning day take place on a working day? | It should be carried out on a normal working day in order to reach as many people as possible in their daily environment and actions. |
Conclusion: The nationwide warning day is an essential tool for testing Germany's warning systems and educating the population about their function and importance. With knowledge of these systems, citizens can be better protected in an emergency and react more effectively to possible dangers.
Also read: Meta in Europe: ad-free for a fee?
Source:
BBK
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