Sirens and Alertswiss are tested
The annual siren test takes place throughout Switzerland on February 7.
On the first Wednesday of every February, sirens are tested throughout Switzerland to ensure they are ready for operation. The population does not need to take any action. On February 7 in the afternoon, the siren test will be carried out again throughout Switzerland, as reported by the FOCP. The test is used to periodically check the approximately 5000 sirens to ensure that they provide a reliable alert in the event of an incident. The test includes notifications via the Alertswiss app. On the occasion of the siren test, the FOCP launches additional language versions for the emergency plan.
The sirens sound the general alarm at 1.30 p.m., a regular ascending and descending wailing tone lasting one minute. If necessary, the siren test can be extended until 2.00 pm.
The water alarm is tested from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the latest in the near zones below dams. The signal consists of twelve low continuous tones of 20 seconds each at intervals of 10 seconds.
Message via Alertswiss app
Parallel to the triggering of the general siren alarm, each canton triggers an information-level message via the Alertswiss app on February 7 (see under Alertswiss). The Information level message does not trigger a siren sound on the smartphone, as would be the case with an Alarm level message.
The number of users of the Alertswiss app is rising steadily and reached two million active installations on mobile devices in December 2023. According to data, cantons and federal authorities submitted around 250 Alertswiss reports last year.
Emergency plan in additional languages and in "easy language"
On the occasion of the siren test, the FOCP has prepared the emergency plan in additional languages. This document helps you to prepare personally for emergencies and provides practical tips for your own preparations.
The available languages are German, French, Italian, English, Romansh, Portuguese, Albanian, Spanish, Serbian, Croatian, Turkish, Arabic and Ukrainian.
An easy-to-read version is also available in German, French and Italian. These versions were created as part of the "Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies" innovation funding project supported by Innosuisse. The FOCP is participating in this project with the aim of improving the accessibility of Alertswiss.
What applies in the event of a real siren alarm?
If the general alarm sounds outside of an announced siren test, this means that there is a danger to the population. In this case, the population is requested to listen to the radio or inform themselves via the Alertswiss channels, follow the instructions of the authorities and inform their neighbors.
The water alarm means that there is an immediate danger downstream of a dam. In this case, the population is requested to leave the endangered area immediately.
Further advice and recommendations on how to behave can be found on the FOCP website, on the Alertswiss website and in the teletext of the SRG broadcasters, pages 680 and 681.
The Alertswiss app is available free of charge for Android and iOS systems. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Source: FOCP
