The nationwide warning day takes place every year on the second Thursday in September. The aim is to raise public awareness of the issue of warnings. It also aims to make the warning processes more transparent and raise awareness of the available warning tools. The aim is also to provide the population with the knowledge they need to deal with warnings in order to support them in their ability to protect themselves. On 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) - including warning apps and cell broadcasts - at 11 am. The all-clear is given by the BBK at 11.45 am.
Warnings in Idar-Oberstein
In Idar-Oberstein, warnings are issued via the warning apps NINA and KATWARN as well as via Cell Broadcast. This is a mobile phone service with which warning messages can be sent directly to cell phones or smartphones. However, the existing sirens will not sound on the warning day. This is because they are not connected to MoWaS. In addition, they can only sound the fire alarm (three constant tones over one minute with two tones lasting several seconds). But it is precisely this that should not sound on the warning day, but the signals "Warning in case of danger" (one minute of rising and falling wailing) and "All-clear" (one minute of continuous sound) when the danger has passed.
Further information can be found on the homepage of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (bbk.bund.de) under the heading "Warning and preparedness".