September 11, 2025: Federal Warning Day

On September 11, 2025, Germany will conduct a nationwide warning day test. This joint action day, involving the federal government, states, and municipalities, aims to inform the public about the ways authorities warn in emergency situations.

The test warning will be triggered by the national warning centre at the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) at 11:00 AM. The warning will be sent staggered to various warning channels, including warning apps, radio and television, websites, social networks, advertising boards, and passenger information systems.

Municipal sirens will be triggered via control centres with specific signals for warning and all-clear. Various warning multipliers and communication channels, such as sirens, radio and television, digital city display boards, and smartphones, will be tested. The all-clear will be given at around 11:45 AM, except via cell broadcast.

The warning via cell broadcast will also be tested during the nationwide warning day. This technology allows warnings to be sent directly to mobile phones, ensuring a wide reach.

The technical warning infrastructure is subjected to a function test (stress test) during the nationwide warning day. The purpose of this test is to check the function of the warning means and to identify possible weaknesses. If necessary, the warning means are optimised following the test.

The state of Saxony-Anhalt will participate in the nationwide warning day in 2025. Dr. Tamara Zieschang, the Interior Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, will be responsible for the state's participation.

In addition to the function test, the population is provided with comprehensive information about warning in Germany. This includes the importance of trust in the German warning system, particularly in times of multilateral crises. The certainty that warnings will arrive quickly and reliably in a disaster situation strengthens trust in Germany's civil protection.

Municipalities can use sirens and loudspeaker vehicles to warn the population. The warning can be read and/or heard across various warning channels, ensuring that everyone is informed.

The nationwide warning day is intended to provide the population with a sense of security and preparedness. It is a valuable exercise to test and improve the warning system, ensuring that Germany is well-prepared for any emergency situation.