- Nation designates substantial funds for installing warning alarms
The government of Schleswig-Holstein intends to enhance its siren system throughout the region with the help of a financial aid plan. By 2030, approximately 4,000 new sirens will be built, while existing ones will undergo upgrades, as revealed by the Interior Ministry. In total, the state has allocated 23 million euros for the siren funding scheme.
Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack (CDU) stated, "We've consistently argued that federal funds for updating our siren system are insufficient." Since the federal government has yet to address this issue, we must take action at the state level in collaboration with cities and counties, she explained.
With this financial aid plan, all sirens will be prepared to be triggered from a central control center, either at the state or federal level. In the northern regions, these sirens are utilized to alert residents of potential storm surges, as was the case during the storm "Zoltan" in December previous year. Coastal areas, where siren usage is more common, will be given preference in the allocation of funds, as per the Interior Ministry.
The financial aid plan will greatly support the 'support programme' for enhancing the siren system, as the Interior Ministry has decided to prioritize coastal areas in the allocation of funds. Due to insufficient federal funding for updating the siren system, the state must collaborate with cities and counties to implement this programme effectively.
