Table of Contents
- How does the nationwide CrisisDrill unfold?
- How does the crisis warning reach the public?
- Why is the emergency alert system fragmented?
- In what manner does Cell Broadcast operate?
- How plausible is a nationwide crisis warning really?
- How well does Germany prepare for emergencies?
- In Germany, the alarming sound of sirens is echoing once more. Gain essential insights about this occurrence.
Envision authorities issuing a warning for a calamity, yet many individuals miss the message. Essentially, this explains the initial nationwide CrisisDrill four years ago. Sirens were muted in numerous areas, while warning notifications arrived too late or not at all. Christoph Unger, then head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection, had to resign following the debacle. Last year, an attempt at a second nationwide warning took place, with citizens receiving alerts directly on their mobile phones for the first time.
The upcoming CrisisDrill is scheduled for this Thursday. The organizers intend for it to improve upon the results from three years ago. Here's what you should know in advance:
How does the nationwide CrisisDrill proceed?
The nationwide CrisisDrill takes place annually on the second Thursday in September, being led by the federal government, states, and municipalities (this time, on September 12). Authorities evaluate and test German warning systems while examining the best methods for alerting the public during an emergency.
At 11 a.m., the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) deploys the test alarm, which should be audible through 38,000 sirens. However, it will also be distributed via warning apps, radio and television stations, and around 6,600 digital display boards. The all-clear follows at 11:45 a.m.
In an attempt to reach as many individuals as possible within their daily routines in Germany, the test alarm occurs during the workweek.
How does the crisis warning reach the public?
In comparison to other countries, Germany relies on a selection of alert methods for emergencies. The modular warning system (MoWas) catalog from the federal and state governments lists five warning methods:
- Apps: Citizens can install several apps on their smartphones, such as "Nina". Authorities utilize these apps to distribute alerts about storms and floods, among other things, via push notifications. The apps also contain emergency advice and checklists for various disaster scenarios.
- Radio and television: Authorities convey hazard information to editorial teams, enabling them to interrupt programming as necessary.
- Online, citizens can also obtain information from the federal government's website and subscribe to alerts.
- Digital advertising and display boards also distribute emergency warnings – provided they are connected to the alert system. Transport providers also transmit warnings via their time boards.
- No all-clear message will be distributed via Cell Broadcast, which is a direct message to all mobile phones.
The BBK encourages citizens to investigate the test alarm at their local fire station, town hall, or citizen center. "It is advisable to learn about the test alarm methods used by the local authority in advance, allowing you to prepare accordingly and ideally, inform relatives and close contacts as well," the BBK website advises. Information is also available in multiple languages.
Why is the emergency alert system incomplete?
There are various reasons for this. Following the Cold War, sirens were dismantled or neglected in many areas in Germany. It is unclear how many sirens are currently present in Germany.
Over 38,000 of these alert systems are registered with the BBK. These must be triggered by the control centers of municipalities. Consequently, the warning signal does not sound uniformly in every location. It will take several months for the sirens to be centrally controlled, according to BBK President Ralph Tiesler. A comprehensive, up-to-date record of all functional sirens in the Federal Republic will not become available until the following year, "The nationwide siren registry is expected to be available as a platform with up-to-date data in the course of the upcoming year."
Additionally, municipalities are welcome to participate in the test alarm, but are under no obligation to do so. As a result, not all sirens will sound on September 12.
How does Cell Broadcast function?
This technology was introduced following the devastating flood in the Ahr Valley in Germany and was first tested last December. Every mobile phone user within a particular area, with their phone switched on, receives a text message accompanied by a sound – provided the device is not overly outdated. The messages are limited to 500 characters and contain the warning and recommended actions.
No registration is necessary for Cell Broadcast. Authorities can distribute the alert message to all reachable mobile phones simultaneously via Cell Broadcast. The coverage rate of Cell Broadcast was approximately half during the previous warning day, according to the BBK.
However, citizens only receive the disaster warning via Cell Broadcast – no all-clear message. This is currently not possible, the BBK reports.
How likely is a nationwide crisis warning?
Beyond the test alarm, nationwide warnings are extremely rare. Local or regional warnings are typically issued, such as during floods or forest fires.
How well-equipped is Germany for emergencies?
The alert system in Germany has been expanded but is still fragmented. While there are more sirens present than a few years ago, some areas in Germany still lack alert sirens. However, funding programs are available to address this issue.
The BBK also regards bunkers as a significant topic. There are still 579 protective bunkers in Germany, but they are no longer accessible for population protection. "This is a complex issue, as it was decided in 2007 not to operate any more public bunkers," says BBK President Tiesler.
Generaly, Tiesler thinks Germany is geared up for individual readiness during emergencies and calamities. Incidents such as the Corona outbreak, flood emergencies, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have made people more mindful of disaster precautions, asserts Tiesler. This is further evidenced by the findings of surveys carried out by the BBK throughout the past 1.5 years. The number of downloads and BBK handbooks demanded have also escalated.
Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance 1, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance 2, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance 3, Bundesregierung.de, with content from DPA*
During the upcoming CrisisDrill, individuals might still miss the test alarm even with various methods of distribution, such as apps, radio and television stations, and digital display boards. The test alarm using Cell Broadcast will only reach those with updated mobile phones, as older models may not support this feature. Despite the improvements, the emergency alert system remains fragmented, with many areas lacking functional sirens.
