Nationwide Warning Day on September 11: Utilization of Sirens, Cell Broadcasts, and Warning Apps by Bundeswehr
On Thursday, September 11, Germany will conduct its annual Nationwide Civil Defense Drill. This joint action day of the federal government, states, and municipalities aims to ensure quick and comprehensive warning of the people in the region, not just in case of accidents or fires, but also in light of climate change and recurring extreme weather conditions.
The drill will see the activation of various warning systems, including stationary sirens, the "Cell Broadcast" system, city advertising boards, and the warning apps KatWarn and NINA. The "Cell Broadcast" system serves as a supplement to these apps, providing a wider reach and ensuring that even those without smartphones can receive important alerts.
At 11 a.m., three siren tones will be triggered at intervals of approximately 5 minutes. The first tone signals that it is a test alarm. The siren network in the district of Herford is currently undergoing expansion and renovation, and some individual sirens may not be triggered during the drill as they are not yet technically connected to the control center.
The siren alarm will be triggered centrally by the district control center in Hiddenhausen with a push of a button. Over 90 siren locations in the district area can be controlled from this center. The drill will also test the sirens that functioned properly during the last drill, as well as the newly added ones.
District Administrator Jürgen Müller emphasizes the importance of these regional, state, and national warning days for identifying areas of improvement and enhancing efforts. He underscores that on this action day, the state and municipalities will test their warning systems for functionality and potential vulnerabilities.
An all-clear will be issued via warning means and end devices around 11:45 a.m. after the drill. The responsible authority for the central control and activation of the Modular Warning System (Modulares Warnsystem) during the nationwide civil defense exercise day in North Rhine-Westphalia is the Ministry of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia (Innenministerium Nordrhein-Westphalen).
As part of the drill, old sirens are being replaced by new ones, and additional siren locations are being established to ensure comprehensive coverage. The drill serves as a reminder for everyone to stay vigilant and prepared, and to download the KatWarn and NINA apps for access to important additional information from the fire and rescue service control centers, BBK, and DWD.
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