Siren test - for the first time also via Alertswiss channel
Disasters can happen at any time and without warning. To ensure that the population can be alerted and informed quickly, the alerting systems must function perfectly. Today, Wednesday, the annual siren test is therefore taking place throughout Switzerland. For the first time, the alerting via the Alertswiss app will also be tested.
In October 2018, the Federal Office for Civil Protection (BABS), together with its cantonal partners, launched new services for alerting and informing the population in the event of disasters and emergencies: Alert messages are sent as push messages via the Alertswiss app to smartphones and as online publications on the Alertswiss website disseminated. As part of the 2019 siren test, these new channels will now be included for the first time, as the FOCP writes. Parallel to the first triggering of the general alarm, all cantons would also be informed about the Alertswiss channels disseminate a test alarm message.
The population is encouraged to use the new alerting and information channels and, in particular, to install the Alertswiss app on their smartphones used daily.
Siren test: General alarm and water alarm
Switzerland has a dense network of around 5,000 stationary and 2,200 mobile sirens to alert the population in the event of an emergency. In cooperation with the cantons, municipalities and dam operators, the FOCP says it ensures that the alerting systems are state-of-the-art and kept operational at all times.
On February 6, 2019, the functional readiness of sirens will therefore be tested throughout Switzerland. The sirens of the general alarm and the water alarm will be tested. Of course, no protective measures are to be taken.
The General Alarm signal is triggered at 1:30 p.m.: a regular ascending and descending wail lasting one minute. If necessary, the siren test may continue until 2 pm. From 2.15 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the latest, the water alarm signal is tested in the near zones below dams. It consists of twelve low continuous tones of 20 seconds each at intervals of 10 seconds.
What applies in the event of a real siren alarm?
When the General alarm sounds outside of an announced siren test, it means that there is a possibility of danger to the population. In this case, the population is requested to listen to the radio or to inform themselves via the Alertswiss channels, to follow the instructions of the authorities and to inform their neighbors.
The Water alarm means that there is an immediate danger below a dam. In this case, the population is requested to leave the endangered area immediately. Leaflets are used to inform the population in the affected areas in advance about the water alarm in general and in particular about the escape possibilities available on site.
Evaluation of the siren alarm
A few hours after the siren alarm on 6 February, the FOCP writes: "During the siren test, 98% of the tested stationary sirens worked perfectly. The cantons and communes are now required to repair or replace the defective systems immediately. Since the sirens are tested every year and any defects found are subsequently repaired, functional reliability can be maintained at a very high level." The FOCP goes on to point out that "All cantons have disseminated a test alarm message via the Alertswiss channels. According to findings to date, this alerting has also functioned flawlessly."
Source: FOCP
