According to Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU), the nationwide warning day was satisfactory overall in Bavaria, but not problem-free everywhere. “The initial feedback from the administrative districts only points to minor problems in certain areas. Warning apps such as “Nina” and “Katwarn” were sometimes slightly delayed and were not triggered at all in individual regions of Bavaria,” he told the German Press Agency on Thursday in Munich. The evaluations are currently ongoing, so it is still a bit early for final results.
From eleven o’clock on Thursday there were test alarms for the population in Bavaria, as in the rest of Germany. Not only did the sirens sound, but millions of cell phones were also supposed to emit a loud warning tone at the same time. The aim of the warning day, introduced in 2020, is to raise awareness among people in the country about warnings. At the same time, the processes and technical functionality of the various warning devices and systems should be examined. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK), the interior ministries of the federal states and the municipalities held the day of action together across Germany.
Herrmann emphasized that feedback on the warning day from every citizen is welcome: “Everyone can share their personal experiences the BBK online survey anonymously and help so that warnings can be given quickly and effectively in an emergency.” On this day, the BBK is testing the warning apps “Nina” and “Katwarn” and the Cell Broadcast mobile phone service, which sends warning messages directly to the cell phone, throughout Germany or smartphone sends.
Cell broadcast has only been available in Bavaria since February 2023. It is intended to supplement the existing warning mix of analog and digital warning channels – such as sirens, radio, TV or apps. The warning broadcast by the network operators on official orders is received on all devices that are registered in a radio cell. Depending on the warning level, the devices emit a very loud sound even in silent mode.
At the same time, according to the Interior Ministry, many municipalities in Bavaria tested additional warning devices, such as city information boards and sirens. In a few municipalities, such as the Berchtesgaden market, so-called loudspeaker trucks should also be used. “We have far too few sirens in Bavaria and throughout Germany to be able to use this warning device effectively in an emergency,” emphasized Herrmann. Because of their range and their wake-up effect, sirens are “so important because they cannot be switched off even at night. I therefore have absolutely no understanding that the federal government is only half-heartedly pursuing further support for the expansion of sirens, contrary to the clear demands of the states.”
Only 5.5 million euros have been allocated to the federal budget nationwide for 2023, which is still subject to a budget freeze. “This is not even a drop in the ocean. We are therefore committed to an adequately funded joint federal-state program to promote sirens. Bavaria is ready and able to make its contribution to this,” said Herrmann.