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Sirens are wailing in Böblingen: Are citizens ignoring the warning?
On September 12th, 2025, the sirens wailed in Böblingen on the nationwide warning day. Goal: Raise public awareness of dangers.
Sirens are wailing in Böblingen: Are citizens ignoring the warning?
On Thursday, September 12, 2025, at 11 a.m., the sirens will sound in Böblingen on nationwide warning day. The sirens sound as part of a test run for existing warning channels that are used in dangerous situations. At the same time, citizens' cell phones beeped while warning apps like Nina and Katwarn spread information and informed the media about the announcements. The aim of this measure is to make the population aware of potential disasters and crises in order to be able to react more effectively in an emergency. Loud ZDF A modular warning system (MoWaS) was used to control over 8,700 city information boards and various warning apps.
In front of the Mercaden shopping center, the reaction of passers-by was striking: many showed little interest in the fire engine that had positioned itself to provide support. A loudspeaker announced that “there is no danger to the population.” Nevertheless, the attention of the rescue workers was only available in emergencies. In this situation it becomes clear that citizens often only react when acute dangers are perceived. Böblingen district newspaper addresses this phenomenon and the little attention that warning signals and relief measures receive.
A nationwide initiative
The warning day, which is being carried out today, is an annual event that has been scheduled since 2020. The first warning day was overshadowed by mishaps. No warning day was held in the following years, 2021 due to the challenges, however events in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were successful, according to officials. The renewed testing of the warning systems aims to better prepare authorities and the population for possible crises.
Uniform siren signals were used for the test: a rising and falling howling tone represents a warning, while a continuous howling tone signals the end of an alarm. In addition, the “Automatic Safety Alert” (ASA) technology for DAB+ devices was tested this year. This technology has the advantage that it works even if mobile networks or the Internet fail. Devices equipped with this technology automatically wake up from standby mode when an alert is sent.
Participation and challenges
As in previous years, participation in this warning day was voluntary. Not all municipalities took part, with some places no longer having sirens as they were deemed unnecessary after the Cold War. Another highlight of today's warning exercise is the test of the cell broadcast system, which reaches not only the local population but also tourists with foreign mobile numbers.
It is important for citizens to be aware of warning systems and to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency. The authorities' initiatives to familiarize citizens with the warning systems and to encourage people to take precautions are essential for security in crisis situations.