Sirens wail on warning day: This is how Göttingen warns on September 11th!

Sirens wail on warning day: This is how Göttingen warns on September 11th!

On September 11, 2025, things will be loud again in Germany, and there are good reasons for that. At 11 a.m. sharp, sirens blare in Göttingen and many other cities while cell phones vibrate and ring. The occasion? The nationwide warning day, which aims to test the warning infrastructure in order to inform citizens in a timely manner in the event of an emergency. A dress rehearsal, so to speak, for an emergency, where warnings should be given quickly and clearly.

District councilor Marlies Dornieden emphasizes the importance of quick and understandable warnings. She knows: In crisis situations, it is essential that the population is informed promptly and clearly. In the Göttingen district, a proven mixed approach is used. In addition to the traditional sirens installed in communities, modern warning methods are also used. However, current developments show that the existing infrastructure is not sufficient. A study found that only 169 of the existing sirens in the district are functional.

New investments in warning infrastructure

In order to ensure the safety of citizens, the Göttingen district has decided to invest in expanding the siren infrastructure. An amount of 1.5 million euros is available in the district budget for the new installation of sirens. The municipalities are currently in the process of checking whether they can cover the costs for new sirens themselves, as these are not their responsibility. An individual prize can be up to 35,000 euros, with funding of around 7,500 euros possible.

The warning day itself has also been coordinated via the Modular Warning System (MoWaS) since 2023. Alerts are sent directly to citizens' mobile phones without the need to install an app. Radio, television and official websites are also other platforms for disseminating important information. Despite this progress, there remains a challenge: Many of the permanently installed sirens date back to the Cold War and are now considered outdated.

Warning systems in a nationwide context

As in Göttingen, warnings are issued on warning days in other federal states such as Berlin and Brandenburg. There, the warning system will be extensively tested, including newly installed sirens that have not been in use for over 30 years. The goal is to have 450 sirens by the end of the year in order to better protect the population. The security situation has changed significantly in recent years, highlighted by current events such as climate change and cyberattacks.

Improving the supply of sirens in Germany is also on the federal authorities' agenda: A new siren funding program has been launched, which is intended to support not only the expansion but also the modernization of existing systems. Incidents such as the 2021 flood disaster have underlined the urgency of improving the warning infrastructure. Further information and official warnings can be found on platforms such as warning.bund.de.

Given all these developments, it becomes clear how important it is to be well prepared. The next warning day is sure to come and for everyone who wants to keep a clear head - because in an emergency, the exchange of information must function smoothly to protect lives.

For more information about the planned measures and the security situation in the Göttingen district, you can read the reporting from Göttingen Tageblatt visit. Also RBB24 offers comprehensive insights into the nationwide situation and current developments in the siren infrastructure. A detailed look at the regulations and programs relating to sirens can be found on the website BBK.