As of: September 14, 2023 1:10 p.m
On the nationwide warning day on Thursday at 11 a.m., the population was warned via various channels as a test. Apparently there were no problems in Hamburg.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) wanted to test how people can be warned in the event of disasters or the consequences of war. “We are relying on the so-called warning agent mix,” said Interior State Secretary Juliane Seifert in advance.
No technical problems in Hamburg
Specifically, this meant that there should be warnings on radio and television, via sirens, on information boards in cities and announcements on platforms and on trains. Technically, it worked well in Hamburg, says the head of disaster control, Mike Vorbeck: “As far as we can tell now, all the sirens in the city worked. The federal government’s report also seems to have worked.”
Only a fifth use warning apps
In addition, warning apps such as NINA and the Cell Broadcast warning system should be used in the test alarm. However, only a fifth of all people in Hamburg have a warning app on their cell phone. There is still room for improvement, says Vorbeck. With the help of Cell Broadcast, all cell phone users whose device is logged into the radio cell in a danger area should receive an automatic notification – even if they do not have an app installed. The cell phone should ring loudly even if it is set to silent. It only stays silent in airplane mode or completely switched off.
Expansion of sirens in Hamburg is stalling
However, many Hamburg residents noticed less of the howling of the storm surge sirens on this year’s warning day than planned. The 123 systems, mainly located near the Elbe, were supposed to broadcast their piercing warning tone and give the all-clear three quarters of an hour later. But the announced installation of 50 more sirens by the end of 2023 has been delayed. They are “still in the construction/construction stage,” said interior authority spokesman Daniel Schaefer.
Last nationwide warning day in December
Even if at On the last warning day in December last year, according to a BBK survey, nine out of ten people in Germany received at least one warning, there were problems. For example, the cell broadcast system did not work on some older cell phone models. According to BBK, the mobile phone providers have now been able to fix the problems.
Warning Day Poll
For everyone who doesn’t hear a siren or hasn’t received a warning via app or cell broadcast, there is an option Feedback to the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance.
Further information
