The nationwide Warning Day takes place annually on the second Thursday in September, so this year on 12 September 2024. On this joint day of action by the federal government, federal states and local authorities, the technical warning infrastructure is to be tested throughout Germany and citizens are to be made more aware of the issue of warnings. It is intended to make warning processes more transparent and raise awareness of the available warning tools such as warning apps, digital advertising spaces, cell broadcasting and sirens. The aim is to impart the necessary knowledge on how to deal with warnings in order to support the population in their ability to protect themselves.
On the warning day, the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) centrally triggers all warning devices and warning multipliers connected to the Modular Warning System (MoWaS) (these include in particular the warning apps NINA, KATWARN and Cell Broadcast) at around 11 am. At the same time, the federal states and local authorities simultaneously trigger the warning devices in their area of responsibility that are not directly connected to MoWaS (including loudspeaker announcements or sirens) manually. In Idar-Oberstein, the sirens of the mobile loudspeaker systems in the Hohl, Lay, Georg-Weierbach and Tiefenstein areas are triggered.
At around 11.45 a.m., the all-clear is given via the warning devices and terminals via which the warning was previously sent. No all-clear is currently being sent via cell broadcast. The possibility of issuing an all-clear via this warning channel is currently being examined by the mobile network operators, among others.
- Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance at www.bbk.bund.de/bundesweiter-warntag.