The Civil Defence Trial Alert in Austria will take place on 7 October 2023 – safety and prevention are the focus on this Saturday. With over 8,300 sirens, Austria is equipped to warn the population nationwide (Bundesministerium für Inneres, 2023).

On 7 October, between 12:00 and 13:00, more than 8,300 sirens will sound throughout Austria and an additional message will be sent via the app “KATWARN Austria/Austria”. The aim of this test alarm is not only to check the technical equipment of the warning and alarm system for proper functioning, but also to familiarise the population with the various civil protection signals and their meaning. In addition to the signal “SIREN PROBE”, which sounds in Austria every Saturday at 12 o’clock for 15 seconds, the signals “WARNUNG”, “ALARM” and “ENTWARNUNG” will also be tested this Saturday for use in case of emergency. The signals “WARNUNG”, “ALARM” and “ENTWARNUNG” are triggered by the provincial warning centres (Zivilschutz Österreich, n.d.). Only the signal “WARNUNG” is triggered by the Federal Warning Centre.

The meaning of the Austrian civil defence signals in briefly explained:

• “SIRENENPROBE”: a 15-second tone to check the system.
  “WARNUNG”: A 3-minute continuous tone signalling approaching danger. The population should switch on the radio (OE3), TV (ORF) or read up on the Internet (www.orf.at) and follow the behavioural measures.
  “ALARM”: A rising and falling tone for 1 minute indicates acute danger. Now it is important to seek shelter and follow the instructions on the radio (OE3), TV (ORF), Internet (www.orf.at).
  “ENTWARNUNG”: A constant continuous tone of 1 minute means the end of the danger and further instructions are transmitted via the media radio (OE3), TV (ORF), Internet (www.orf.at).

You can also familiarise yourself with the sound of the Austrian civil defence signals at any time on the website of the Austrian Civil Defence. Click here to listen to the Austrian Civil Defence signals. We will be happy to advise you and answer any questions you may have about nationwide alerting and warning systems.

Source Information:

Bundesministerium für Inneres. (2023). Bevölkerungswarnung. Retrieved 4 October, 2023 from: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/gesundheit_und_notfaelle/katastrophenfaelle/2/Seite.29500311.html

Zivilschutz Österreich. (n.d.). Zivilschutz-Probealarm am 7. Oktober 2023. Retrieved 4 October, 2023 from: https://www.zivilschutz.at/zivilschutz-probealarm-am-7-oktober-2023

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