Warning day: Nancy Faeser draws a positive conclusion

After the fourth nationwide warning day, the balance is positive. But there are also demands for an emergency.

After the test alarm on the nationwide warning day, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) draws a positive conclusion. “Whether warning messages that go directly to cell phones, sirens, our Nina warning app or warnings on television, radio and display boards: our mix of warnings reaches almost everyone in Germany,” she said. The warning systems have once again passed a major stress test. The test alarm caused cell phones to beep loudly across Germany and in some places sirens to sound. The warning was triggered at 11 a.m. by the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) in Bonn.

Citizens received a warning message on their cell phones via the Cell Broadcast System, among other things. The text that appeared on the cell phone was: “Emergency alarm. Test warning, nationwide warning day 2024” and the note “There is no danger.” The alarm, which is given every year on the second Thursday in September for test purposes, is also broadcast on radio and television stations and on city information boards. It is the fourth nationwide warning day to date.

BBK President Ralph Tiesler spoke of a great success. All systems could have been triggered simultaneously. “People were reminded once again of what can be expected of them in the event of a disaster or in the event of civil protection.” In order to optimize the systems, feedback from the countries and experiences from the population are now being collected.

Beeping on warning day also heard in the Bundestag

At 11:45 a.m., a second all-clear message was sent via the various warning channels. The exception to this was the Cell Broadcast mobile service, which did not send an all-clear message.

Anyone who had warning apps such as Nina or Katwarn installed on their smartphone also received a notification about the test warning. For the municipalities, some of which use sirens and loudspeaker announcements to warn the population, participation in the exercise was voluntary.

A number of loud beeping noises could also be heard in the Bundestag. Shortly before 11 a.m., Bundestag President Bärbel Bas informed the MPs, who were debating planned changes to residence and weapons laws as well as new powers for the police, of the upcoming test alarm.

Demand for better preparation for emergencies

The German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB) called for a strengthening of civil and disaster protection and better preparations for emergencies. “Even if the warning days are producing ever better results, it is necessary to strengthen civil and disaster protection, to better equip the institutions and to continuously improve the interaction between the various actors,” DStGB Managing Director André Berghegger told the “Rheinische Post”.

In addition to warning in case of an emergency, better preparation is also necessary. Berghegger mentioned emergency generators, a national emergency power reserve, the provision of essential medicines and the creation of water and food supplies.

In Germany, the states are responsible for disaster protection. The federal government is responsible for protecting the population in the event of war or tension. However, in the event of severe storms or other disasters, the states can request support from the federal government, for example from the German armed forces or the federal police.

Text: dpa/ Editor: JN