Switzerland conducted its annual national siren test on Wednesday, February 7th, ensuring the country's emergency alert infrastructure remains fully functional. The exercise, which involved 691 stationary sirens across the canton of Bern alone, is a critical component of Switzerland's comprehensive civil protection strategy.
The test aims to confirm that sirens can effectively warn the population in the event of various disasters, including natural hazards, chemical incidents, or nuclear accidents. Officials emphasize that a robust warning system is vital for public safety.
Key Takeaways
- National siren test occurred on Wednesday, February 7th, between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM.
- Over 690 stationary sirens were tested in the canton of Bern.
- The general alarm is a regular ascending and descending wail.
- Water alarms were tested in areas below dams.
- Mobile sirens and telephone lists are used for remote regions.
- The Alertswiss app has over 2.3 million users for digital warnings.
Ensuring Siren Readiness Across the Canton
Peter Ineichen, a technical specialist with the Office for Civil Protection, oversees the siren network in the canton of Bern. He confirmed the smooth operation of most sirens. However, he also noted that typically, one to five sirens experience issues each year, requiring maintenance.
The system in Lyss, for example, had a false alarm on August 15, 2020. Incidents like these highlight the importance of regular testing and local presence during activations.
Siren System Facts
- 691 stationary sirens in the canton of Bern.
- The general alarm lasts for one minute, followed by a four-minute pause, then repeats.
- Local municipal staff must be present at each siren site to confirm activation.
The Testing Procedure
The general alarm, described as a "regular ascending and descending wail," was the first to be tested. This distinct sound is designed to rouse the population from sleep, according to Ineichen. The initial activation, controlled remotely by the cantonal police, occurred promptly at 1:30 PM.
This was followed by a four-minute pause, and then the alarm sounded again at 1:35 PM. Newer siren models allow the cantonal police in Bern to verify functionality remotely. However, for older installations, this is not possible.
"The alarm must wake the population from their sleep," stated Peter Ineichen, emphasizing the alarm's critical role.
Crucially, a municipal employee must be present at each of the 691 siren locations to confirm that the alarm is audible. At 1:45 PM, these local personnel activated the sirens on-site, testing their manual operation. Municipalities can also conduct additional tests until 2:00 PM to assess sound coverage.
Special Alarms and Remote Area Coverage
Following the general alarm test, specific regions located below dam reservoirs underwent an additional water alarm test. These areas include Oberhasli/Grimsel, Sanetsch-Arnensee, and Schiffenen/Wohlensee. The water alarm features twelve deep, continuous tones, each lasting 20 seconds, with 10-second intervals in between.
Emergency Scenarios
In a real emergency, sirens warn the public about various threats. These include major fires, avalanches, landslides, chemical spills, nuclear accidents, or contaminated drinking water. The system is designed to provide immediate alerts.
For more remote communities, mobile sirens play a vital role. Vehicles equipped with sirens on their roofs drive along pre-defined routes. The canton recommends that municipalities perform these mobile siren tests. Some communities, however, may conduct practice runs without the alarm during summer months if winter roads are snow-covered.
In extremely isolated locations, an alarm system relies on a telephone list. This list must be maintained within the municipality's official alarm dossier, ensuring direct contact with residents.
How the Public Receives Information During an Emergency
If a genuine emergency occurs, the cantonal police, in coordination with the fire department, activate the sirens. Upon hearing an alarm, the public should seek information through various channels.
- Radio and Television: Tune into local broadcasts for instructions.
- Alert.swiss Website: Visit the official government website for real-time updates.
- Teletext Page 608: An older but still active channel for emergency information.
With fewer households relying on traditional radio and television, mobile phone alerts have become increasingly important. The Alertswiss app, developed by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (Babs), serves as a crucial digital warning tool. Over 2.3 million people have installed this app, demonstrating a significant uptake in digital preparedness.
Alertswiss App
The Alertswiss app is installed on over 2.3 million mobile devices, providing direct emergency notifications to users.
Despite the success of Alertswiss, Switzerland has not yet implemented a cell-broadcast system. This technology, common in neighboring countries, allows authorities to send emergency alerts to all mobile phones within a specific geographic area, without requiring users to download an app. A consultation process for such a system recently concluded.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection is now evaluating the results of this consultation. They plan to provide further updates on the implementation of a cell-broadcast system in due course. This would significantly enhance the country's ability to reach a wider population during critical incidents.