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Nationwide warning day: How to prepare correctly!
The nationwide warning day will take place on September 11, 2025 to test the warning systems for disasters. Find out more!
Nationwide warning day: How to prepare correctly!
The nationwide warning day will take place on September 11, 2025, an important initiative by the federal, state and local governments, which is held annually on the second Thursday in September. At 11:00 a.m. the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) in Bonn sent out a test warning, which ended about 45 minutes later with an all-clear. The aim of this campaign is to test the functionality of the warning systems for acute disasters and defense cases so that the population can react correctly in an emergency. Information about this is available on the BBK website, where the various warning methods are explained, including digital information screens, radio, TV and mobile devices.
One of the central points is the use of the NINA warning app. This app, recommended by many citizens, allows you to subscribe to hazard information for specific locations. In addition, the Cell Broadcast mobile service is available from Android version 11 and iOS version 16.1, which allows warnings to be sent to all prepared cell phones in a radio cell. This also includes tourists with foreign mobile numbers. In 2025, the Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) technology will also be tested, which also works in the event of a failure of mobile networks and the Internet and can wake devices from standby mode.
Warning signals and crisis prevention
The siren signals are clearly defined: a one-minute rising and falling howl signals a warning, while a continuous one-minute howl means the all-clear. However, it should be noted that not all municipalities have sirens, as many were deemed unnecessary after the Cold War and thus civil defense in these areas was neglected.
BBK President Ralph Tiesler has repeatedly emphasized the need to restore the siren network. In Berlin, only around 50% of the planned 450 sirens are in operation. At a time when threats from natural disasters, biological hazards and geopolitical tensions are increasing, the importance of a functioning warning infrastructure has increased significantly.Germany has a lack of effective siren systems and shelters.
Preparations for possible emergencies
In order to be prepared for potential dangers, the BBK recommends that the population stock up on supplies for emergencies. This includes food and water to better respond to a possible emergency. This recommendation becomes clear against the background of a possible oversupply of government aid, which may not be sufficient in crisis situations.
Whether in response to the Ukraine war or other threats: Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is demanding that Germany be ready for war within five years. These developments illustrate the urgency of rethinking civil defense. Together with the Federal Ministry of the Interior, plans are also being pushed forward to identify potential refuge areas, such as bunkers.
Through the lively participation on Warning Day and the various warning channels, citizens are intended to be made aware and made aware of the importance of crisis preparedness in order to better protect themselves and others in an emergency. Overall, the warning day is a central component of national crisis management in Germany.Further information is available on the websites of BBK, ZDF, and Deutschlandfunk.