Around 8,200 fire service sirens active throughout Austria

On Saturday, 2 October 2021, a nationwide civil protection test alarm will be carried out again. Between 12 noon and 12.45 pm, after an initial “Siren test” signal, the three civil protection signals for a “Warning”, an “Alarm” and the “All-clear” again will sound throughout Austria. The alarm test serves on the one hand to check all the technical installations of the warning and alarm system, and on the other hand to familiarise the population with these signals and their meaning.

Austria has a well-developed warning and alarm system, which is operated by the Ministry of the Interior together with the offices of the regional governments. This makes Austria one of the few countries to have a nationwide siren warning system.

The signals can currently be emitted by around 8,200 fire service sirens. Depending on the danger situation, the signals can be triggered centrally by the Federal Warning Centre in the Operations and Coordination Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, by the Warning Centres of the individual states, or by the District Warning Centres

In addition to triggering these sirens, the Federal Warning Centre will also trigger the app KATWARN Austria in the course of the test alarm this year, as in previous years.

Interpreting the signals:

  • • Siren test: 15 seconds
  • • Warning: 3 minute continuous tone – approaching danger!
    Switch on the radio, TV or internet, and follow instructions on what to do.
  • • Alarm: 1 minute rising and falling wailing tone – danger!
    Seek refuge in protective rooms or premises, and follow instructions communicated via radio, television or internet on what to do.
  • • All-clear: 1 minute continuous tone – danger over!
    Observe further instructions issued via radio, television and internet.

Source: Bundesministerium für Inneres, Abteilung I/5 – Öffentlichkeitsarbeit