Nationwide warning day for the population on September 11, 2025
On September 11, 2025, the nationwide warning day for the population will once again take place. At exactly 11 a.m., test alarms will be triggered simultaneously in districts and municipalities in all federal states using warning devices such as sirens, warning apps, messages on smartphones (cell broadcast) and digital city information systems. The all-clear is given at 11.45 am.
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The aim of the warning day is to raise public awareness of the various warning options and their importance. The day is therefore purely an information and awareness-raising day. The nationwide warning day has been held annually since 2020. The aim is to increase acceptance and knowledge of the various forms of warning in emergency situations. It also aims to increase citizens' ability to protect themselves in an emergency. The development of the coronavirus pandemic in recent years also shows how important the topic of warnings is. In an emergency, warnings can be issued about pathogens, natural hazards, dangerous weather conditions, attacks, power outages or fire, for example.
The city of Offenbach has now set up a functioning siren warning network. They are used on the warning day. The one-minute rising and falling wailing sound is the actual warning. The warning is also given with a one-minute but continuous tone.
Ideally, warning messages should be disseminated in many different ways in order to reach as many citizens as possible. For example, the federal government has what is known as the Modular Warning System (MoWaS), a powerful warning and communication system. This is used jointly by the federal government, federal states and local authorities to inform and warn the population in the event of damage (for example in the event of major fires with the spread of smoke or flooding), disasters and civil protection. One part of MoWaS consists of so-called warning multipliers, for example authorities, public broadcasters, media companies, internet service providers and app operators. These bodies issue warnings in various ways in the event of a disaster.
A basic distinction is made between three hazard levels: high (official hazard announcement), medium (official hazard determination) and low (hazard information).
What does the city of Offenbach do?
In a dangerous situation, the city of Offenbach uses various means to warn the population: warning apps, cell broadcasts, warning messages via radio stations and loudspeaker announcements. It also places an emergency message on its website, which is superimposed as a layer over the Internet pages. This message appears when someone accesses a municipal website.
On this year's Warning Day, the city of Offenbach will sound the sirens and activate an emergency message on the website to draw attention to the nationwide warning day. The city and fire department will also provide information on social media.