Germany Prepares for Regional Emergency Alert Tests on March 13

States like Rheinland-Pfalz, Hessen, and Bayern will test warning systems to improve disaster preparedness and public awareness.

Rheinland-Pfalz will conduct its first statewide Warntag on March 13, testing systems like sirens, warning apps, and Cell Broadcast technology.
The initiative aims to evaluate the functionality of warning infrastructure and familiarize residents with emergency protocols.
Hessen reports over 821,000 users of its warning apps, 'hessenWARN' and 'KatWarn,' which provide real-time updates on risks like severe weather, fires, and other emergencies.
Bayern will introduce a new entwarnung (all-clear) siren tone during its tests, alongside traditional warning signals and smartphone alerts.
The tests follow recent investments in modernizing warning systems, particularly after the 2021 Ahrtal flood disaster, which highlighted gaps in emergency communication.