Nationwide Warning Day held on September 11, featuring sirens, cell broadcasts, and warning applications.
On the second Thursday of September, and specifically on September 11 this year, a nationwide civil defense drill will take place in Germany. This annual event is a joint action day by the federal government, states, and municipalities, with the district of Herford participating as well.
The drill serves a crucial purpose in testing the functionality of previously set up sirens, as well as new ones added since the last drill. In the district of Herford, the central trigger for the civil emergency sirens will be controlled by the Kreisleitstelle (district control center) in Hiddenhausen.
During the drill, three siren tones will be triggered at intervals of approximately 5 minutes. The first tone signals a test alarm, the second is a warning tone that increases and decreases in volume, and the third is another all-clear tone. The siren alarm is used to alert the population to sudden hazards, such as extreme weather conditions, accidents involving hazardous substances, or fires.
In addition to the sirens, Stationary sirens, KatWarn, NINA, city advertising panels, and the 'Cell Broadcast' system will be tested. Cell Broadcast serves as a supplement to the warning apps KatWarn and NINA, providing a broader reach for emergency alerts.
The 'siren network' in the district of Herford is currently undergoing expansion and renovation. Old sirens are being replaced with new ones, and additional siren locations are being established. However, individual 'visible' sirens may not sound during the drill due to not being technically connected to the control center yet.
All other warning means will be controlled via the Modular Warning System (MoWaS) by the state of NRW. The siren alarm and Cell Broadcast serve as an 'alarm call' that signals a specific danger, providing a rapid and comprehensive warning to the people in the region, especially in light of climate change and recurring extreme weather conditions.
District Administrator Jürgen Müller emphasizes the importance of warning days for determining optimization needs and improving warning systems. 'The drill is a valuable opportunity for us to ensure that our warning systems are functioning optimally and that we are prepared to respond effectively to emergencies,' Müller said.
An all-clear will be issued via warning means and end devices around 11:45 a.m., signaling the end of the drill. The drill is a crucial part of Germany's emergency preparedness, ensuring that the population is well-informed and able to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.
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