Civil defense signals
In the event of an emergency, the civil protection alarm is activated by the Federal Warning Center or the Provincial Warning Centers of the federal states.
Every year on the first Saturday in October from 12 noon, the Austria-wide civil defense test alarm takes place.
Warning
3-minute continuous tone.
Meaning:
Approaching danger!
Behavioral measures:
Switch on the radio or television (ORF) or the Internet (www.orf.at), observe the behavioral measures.
Alarm
1 minute of rising and falling wailing.
Meaning:
Danger!
Behavioral measures:
Go to protected areas or premises, follow the behavioral measures communicated via radio or television (ORF) or the Internet(www.orf.at).
All-clear
1-minute continuous tone.
Meaning:
End of danger.
Behavioral measures:
Follow further instructions on the radio or television (ORF) or the Internet(www.orf.at).
Further signals
Siren rehearsal
15-second continuous tone.
Meaning:
Weekly testing of the sirens (except in Vienna).
Behavioral measures:
None.
Fire department alarm
Siren signal 3 x 15 seconds
Significance:
Alerting the fire department.
Behavioral measures:
Firefighters gather for an operation.