District Aurich starts monthly siren tests: This is how it works!

District Aurich starts monthly siren tests: This is how it works!

In the coming time, it will be loud for the first time in the Aurich district, and there is a good reason. From the coming month of August 2023, a new, comprehensive warning network will take place, which is geared towards the modern requirements for population protection. 22 siren systems have already been installed, and in the end it should be around 140. The first trial alarm will be carried out on the first Saturday of the month at 12:30 p.m. In addition, a diverse warning mix is used, which, in addition to the sirens, also includes warning apps such as "Nina" and "Katwarn", radio broadcaster and public display boards, as the East Frisian news describes.

But what does that mean specifically for the residents? The different siren signals have their own meanings: a swelling and decongestant howling tone of one minute warns the population, while a last tone signals from a minute all-clear. A lasting tone of 12 seconds is planned for the trial alarm. Those responsible have also announced that they replace the old E-57 sirens with modern systems and to concentrate further work on the coastal region. From 2026 the inland will also be included in the structure, which will further increase the security net.

siren system in change

The return of the sirens has its reasons not only in Aurich, but also in the whole country. After the devastating flood disasters of 2021 and the first nationwide warning day 2020, a siren promotion program was launched to improve the infrastructure across the board. Many sirens were out of date and no longer corresponded to the current standards, as the Federal Office for Population Protection and Disaster Aid (BBK) explained. Cities and municipalities are asked to modernize their old systems and buy new sirens. The funding for 2023 and 2024 amounts to 14.5 million euros to bring the sirens up to date.

The modernization of siren also plays an important role in the context of a more comprehensive change in civil protection and crisis management in Germany. Geopolitical tensions and natural disasters require better preparation for the population before crisis situations. Older warning systems are revived to enable faster and nationwide warnings. Sirens are essential to warn the population in time, but they are only part of a comprehensive warning system. The integration of warning apps and radio is crucial to inform and protect the citizens in the best possible way.

Total strategy for security

Another important point in the discussion about security in the country is financing. Germany plans to invest comprehensive investments in crisis resilience, which, however, has considerable challenges. Municipalities often only have limited resources to implement the necessary measures, which is why the political and social support is of central importance. The strategy pursues the goal of effectively protecting the population in crisis situations within the next five years and being prepared for possible conflicts.

For more information on siren technology and the siren promotion program, take a look at the pages of Ostfriesische Nachrichten , bbk and dutch bullion .