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Nationwide Warning Day 2025: Are we prepared for disasters?
On September 14, 2023, a nationwide warning day took place in Germany to test the alarm structures and raise awareness among the population.
Nationwide Warning Day 2025: Are we prepared for disasters?
With a large test run on September 14, 2023 at 11 a.m., Germany once again put its alertness to the test in the event of a disaster. 38,000 sirens, various warning apps, radio and television stations and 6,600 digital display boards were involved in this nationwide warning day. This operation was more than just a routine check; It served to check the alarm structures and raise public awareness of disaster warnings. As Tagesschau.de writes, this step is primarily a reaction to the flood disaster in 2021, which did not reach many people in time, but raised the question: Are we prepared for an emergency?
The nationwide warning day started at 11 a.m. with a test warning issued via the federal government's “Modular Warning System” (MoWaS). On this day, warning messages were sent to warning multipliers, including operators of warning apps, media and various companies. The text of the message read “Test warning – nationwide – There is no danger!” and the all-clear came at 11.45 a.m. Another important point was the new Cell Broadcast function, which allows alerts to be sent directly to cell phones in a specific area - without the need for an app to be installed, provided the device is not in airplane mode.
Siren network and funding
In order to improve the effectiveness of disaster warnings, the federal government is increasingly focusing on expanding the siren network. Around 90 million euros are available as part of a funding program that was launched by Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer in March 2021. These funds support municipalities in purchasing new sirens and modernizing existing technology. As [BBK.de](https://www.bbk.bund.de/SharedDocs/Press Releases/DE/2021/09/pm-sirenenfoerderprogramm-startet.html) reports, the technical connection of the sirens to the modular warning system is also being promoted. This also enables simultaneous warnings through various channels in order to reach the population in the best possible way.
The siren network, as one of the central warning devices in Germany, complements apps such as the NINA warning app and ensures that the population is alerted quickly and efficiently in the event of danger. This is particularly important, as the experiences of recent years show.
Outlook and feedback
With the second warning day in 2022, a pleasing achievement rate of over 90% was achieved. 【Tagesschau.de】 highlights that in order to improve the process, a survey was carried out on the effectiveness of the warning day, the results of which will be collected until September 21, 2023. An evaluation of the survey and technical analysis is then expected in spring 2024 in order to optimally prepare for the next warning day on September 12, 2024.
All of these measures and preparations are part of a comprehensive strategy to sustainably improve the population's alertness and be prepared for all eventualities. If you consider the lessons learned from incidents such as the flood disaster, it is clear that a lot of things are being done right to increase the safety of citizens.