FAQ
Status: 07.12.2022 18:05
After the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, it was clear: Germany must do better when it comes to civil protection. The warning systems are to be tested nationwide on Thursday. How they work and what to look out for.
the initial situation
At the latest, the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley in July 2021 showed how important functioning warning systems are. At that time, many people were not informed about the danger in good time. Since then, it has been clear: Germany must improve when it comes to civil protection. Now the siren networks are to be expanded. In addition, it was decided to set up a nationwide system for so-called cell broadcasting, with which mobile phone users would be informed of disaster warnings.
What happens on Thursday at 11 a.m.?
The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) triggers a test alarm of the highest warning level 1 at 11 a.m. throughout Germany. Since this is just a test, the people who receive this warning don’t have to do anything. At 11.45 a.m. the all-clear was given.
In an emergency, the highest warning level is only triggered if there is an imminent danger in a region, for example from highly toxic gas escaping after an accident in an industrial plant, or from a storm surge. Warning level 2 means there is a serious danger, for example from branches breaking off or roof shingles flying around in a very strong storm. Warning level 3 indicates an event that can affect normal daily routine, such as the risk of ice.
How is the warning issued?
On different channels. The warning message comes via radio and television, via warning apps such as NINA or Katwarn. You will be able to read it on city information boards. In addition, sirens, loudspeaker vans and the information systems of Deutsche Bahn are used. The cell broadcast method will also be used for the first time.
The warnings are triggered directly by the BBK. The federal government operates a so-called modular warning system, which it uses together with the federal states and the municipalities. Warning messages can also be sent via satellite and wired. The reports are then sent to multipliers, i.e. the media, emergency and rescue services and Warnapp operators.
What is the cell broadcast system?
Cell broadcast is intended to inform all mobile phone owners about disaster reports. This works by sending a warning message to all compatible devices that are logged into a cell – hence the name. The warning text should then appear directly on the screen without any additional application, and a loud acoustic signal should also sound. The message can be up to 500 characters long and contain links to the Internet, such as the official federal warning portal. Cell broadcast has the advantage that all mobile phones whose owners are in a certain radio cell at the time of the warning can be controlled simultaneously – without the warning authority having to know the number and their owners.
Such systems have long existed in other countries such as the USA, China, Japan and Canada. India, Brazil, Italy, France and Great Britain have also implemented them or are in the process of doing so.
What do I have to do to get a warning on my cell phone?
In order to get warnings on the mobile phone, the device must compatible with cell broadcast, switched on and ready to receive. Apple smartphones can be used from the iPhone 6s if the operating system is up to date. Mobile phones with the Google Android operating system are compatible with the warning system from version 11 onwards. With some devices, reception must be activated manually: with the iPhone in the “Notifications” menu item at the bottom, with Android devices usually via a submenu such as “Security and Emergency”.
In addition, the authorities also advise installing the NINA warning app. NINA stands for the federal emergency information and news app. It gives specific information about what to warn about and how to react in an emergency.
Will sirens sound everywhere?
No, it depends if there is a working siren nearby. After the Cold War, the opinion in many places was that sirens were no longer needed. However, due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and also in view of the increase in extreme weather such as heavy rain, a rethink has taken place here.
The BBK is trying to create a so-called warning device register – i.e. a map on which all sirens and, in the future, other warning devices are listed. However, this process is not yet complete. However, it is known that the federal states have so far reported around 35,000 sirens to the federal government, which provides financial support for the installation and repair of sirens.
So in many places it will remain quiet. The Berlin city administration, for example, announced: “The sirens that are currently being set up in Berlin cannot be controlled on the warning day.” There will also be no sirens in Osnabrück, for example, because not all of the planned 27 sirens have been installed, as the city announced.
Why is there a warning day?
The purpose of the warning day is to check the existing warning systems and test technical procedures. In addition, people should be made familiar with the processes and sensitized to the topic – so that they know how best to behave in an emergency and where to find further information. The head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Ralph Tiesler, said it was not about spreading panic, but about remaining able to act. In an emergency, this also includes informing neighbors, friends and relatives.
There were significant breakdowns on the first nationwide warning day in September 2020. The BBK test warning was delayed by 30 minutes. The Federal Ministry of the Interior had therefore described the test alarm as “failed”. The head of the authorities at the time, Christoph Unger, had to resign. Since then, the office and the processes should be realigned. In 2021 the warning day was completely canceled. The federal and state governments referred to the ongoing technical and organizational changes after the breakdowns of the previous year and the experience of the flood disaster in the summer.
This is a test alert. What happens in an emergency?
It depends on which area is affected and where the danger is coming from. The general rule is: In the event of war, the BBK bears responsibility in coordination with other federal institutions. The federal states and municipalities are responsible for civil protection in times of peace. In the Baden-Württemberg municipality of Murr, for example, the control center of the district of Ludwigsburg warned of drinking water pollution at the end of November. The residents were advised via the NINA warning app to boil the water. Around 13 million people have downloaded the NINA app. However, it is not known how many citizens have and use the app on their smartphones to date.