Nationwide warning day: sirens wail on Thursday

Bocholt - On Thursday, sirens will be sounding throughout Germany. Reason is the country wide warning day, at which also a new notification technology is to be tested this year.

When the sirens start wailing nationwide at around 11 a.m. on Thursday, it will not be a cause for alarm. Rather, on Thursday, during the so-called Warning Day, the various notification methods are tested throughout the Federal Republic.

In addition to radio and television announcements, these notification methods include local warning sirens and a technology that is being used for the first time in Germany: notification via "cell broadcast".

What is Cell Broadcast?

In simple terms, cell broadcast sends warning messages directly to the smartphone. Unlike SMS, the broadcast message is sent directly to devices within a cell - regardless of the network provider.

The advantage is that all persons in an area who have a suitable cell phone with them can be reached anonymously as recipients of a warning message, the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance informs.

Further information on the subject is available on the website of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance.