Germany to test nationwide warning system with alarms at 11 a.m.

Germany will sound a nationwide test alarm at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with mobile phones issuing a piercing alert and sirens sounding in many municipalities, BR24 reports. The sixth nationwide warning day is designed to test the country’s warning infrastructure and familiarise people with the signals. An official all-clear is expected at about 11:45 a.m.

Why the warning day is held

The annual exercise is a joint initiative involving the federal government, Germany’s states and local authorities. It is intended to identify technical weaknesses in the warning system and ensure that procedures work smoothly during a real emergency.

Such emergencies could include sudden flooding, wildfires, chemical accidents or the discovery of unexploded bombs. Authorities also want people to recognise different warning signals and understand how to respond, the Federal Office of Civil Protection says.

How the warnings will be delivered

Authorities use a combination of warning channels through the federal Modular Warning System, known as MoWaS. Alerts will be sent to warning apps including NINA and KATWARN, while radio and television broadcasters will display or read out the information.

Warning messages will also appear on digital city information boards and at railway stations. Many local authorities will activate traditional sirens.

Cell Broadcast is considered a particularly effective part of the system. It sends an alert and piercing tone to all compatible mobile phones in a specific region, anonymously and without requiring an app to be installed. Phones must not be in flight mode.

What people should do

The main rule during the test is to remain calm: it is only an exercise. People should not call the emergency numbers 112 or 110 to ask why the alarm is sounding, as this could block the lines for genuine emergencies.

Authorities also recommend informing people in advance, including older neighbours and refugees from war zones, for whom unexpected sirens may be particularly distressing.

What to do in a real emergency

If an alarm sounds outside an exercise, people should follow the official information provided for their location and the specific emergency. Warning apps can issue precise instructions, according to Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief, known as the THW.

For an industrial fire, for example, the instructions could be to close windows and doors. In the event of contaminated drinking water, people might be told to boil the water. Smartphones and radios will provide the relevant information.

The THW also advises people to prepare for emergencies by keeping basic supplies of water and food at home. This can provide security and reduce immediate reliance on outside assistance.