Cologne trial alarm: Siren howls on June 7th for disaster protection!

Cologne trial alarm: Siren howls on June 7th for disaster protection!

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the city of Cologne will put its warning systems through its paces. On this day there is a trial alarm that should inform the population about the functioning of the urban warning infrastructure. A total of 136 sirens will be used together with digital advertising boards and the warning apps "Nina" and "Katwarn" to demonstrate the importance of a functioning warning system, such as Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reported.

The process of the trial alarm is clearly structured: at 12 noon, a one -minute long -tone sounds that signals the all -clear. This is followed by a five-minute break before an upset and decongestant howling tone announces a disaster protection alarm. After another break, the lasting tone sounds again to the all -clear. Each signal takes one minute each. These test measures are important so that all Cologne residents are familiar with the warning mechanisms and can react correctly in an emergency, as the city of Cologne explains in its press release.

recommended behaviors

In an emergency, the authorities advise you to search for protection in closed rooms, close windows and doors and to switch off ventilation systems. The radio should be switched on to get current information. The sirens have a range of around three kilometers, and in regional disaster systems, the responsible authorities are required to initiate the warning.

The decision on the use of the warning systems lies in the hands of the fire brigade, the regulatory office, the health department and other responsible bodies. If a warning is failed, other methods and channels can be activated to inform the population in good time. This includes, for example, that the fire brigade control center can contact radio stations such as Radio Köln and announcements are repeated at regular intervals to ensure that all the necessary information is given.

a bitter teaching from the past

The need for an effective warning system became clear in the past through incidents such as the flood disaster 2021. In order to improve the availability and technical equipment of sirens in Germany, a siren promotion program was launched, which is carried out by the Federal Office for Population Protection and Disaster Aid (BBK). This program aims to procure new sirens and modernize existing systems so that they correspond to the current standards, as on the website of the bbk.

For the coming years, 14.5 million euros in funding will be available nationwide to expand the technology and to improve the warning infrastructure nationwide. However, the municipalities have to apply their own funds in order to benefit from these funding.

The preparations of the city of Cologne for the trial alarm on June 7 are not only a sign of a well -functioning alarm infrastructure, but also an important step to point out the citizens: inside the correct behaviors in an emergency. Remember: in an emergency, every minute is crucial!