Warning! Tomorrow is just a test (Warntag)

December 7, 2022

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Warning! Tomorrow is just a test (Warntag)

There is no need to worry: Germany will receive another official warning on December 8, 2022. Here’s what you can expect on National Alert Day (Warntag) in Germany.

Germany’s next official warning day is slated for December 8, 2022. On National Alert Day (Warntag) in Germany, the Federation and the Federal States, as well as the participating rural districts, urban districts, and municipalities, will conduct a joint exercise to test their warning devices.

What will take place on National Alert Day (Warntag)?

At 11 a.m., the participating authorities and operational forces will activate their various warning devices, such as radio and television, digital display boards, and warning apps. Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefónica (O2) sent out a practice emergency warning letter to their consumers last week.

The system will be tested in 294 rural areas and 106 municipalities throughout all federal states. All mobile phone owners in Germany will receive a text message from the Catastrophe Warning System Cell Broadcast. The warning will appear as a huge notification on your lock screen if you have a compatible phone. You do not require an internet connection on your phone to receive the message, nor do you need to have loaded one of Germany’s emergency warning applications, such as NINA or KATWARN. The message will emit an alarm tone regardless of whether your phone is in silent or vibrate mode.

Aims of the National Alert Day

To educate and acquaint Germans with the subject of population warning. In this context, the following elements are highlighted: What exactly are we warning about? What can we do to prepare you? Who is sending out the alerts? What are your alternatives? etc. The more you understand this subject, the more independently and successfully you will be able to act and protect yourself in a crisis situation. These warnings are also meant to keep the public informed in the event of an emergency or a threat to life, such as extreme weather, fires, or terrorist attacks, or if basic supply services are affected.
The technical methods used in the event of an alert, as well as the warning devices themselves, will be examined for correct operation, potential flaws, and remedying any weak points subsequently, thus continually improving the warning of the population. Following that, the appropriate authorities will make the necessary modifications, making the population warning system safer.

It is good to know what is going to happen so that no one feels worried and so that you know what to do in the event of a real-life emergency. If you hear the siren in a non-test scenario, you should seek information about the situation via radio, television, social media, or a warning app and follow the instructions.