German Central Government or National Government of Germany

National Warning Day in Baden-Württemberg: Roles and Responsibilities

German Central Government or National Government of Germany

On September 11, 2025, Germany will conduct a Nationwide Warning Day to test its warning systems and sensitize the population on the topic of warnings and various warning channels. In Baden-Württemberg, the Modular Warning System (MoWaS) is used to warn the population.

Responsible Authorities

The Landräte and Oberbürgermeister are responsible for disaster management in their respective cities and districts. The Regierungspräsidien coordinate disaster management on a regional level, while the Landesregierung (Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg) is responsible for overall coordination.

In Baden-Württemberg, no Bezirksvorsteher in the traditional sense (as in Berlin or Vienna) exist. The municipal administration is structured in a two-tier system consisting of communities and districts. Ortsvorsteher exist in some communities, but they have no authority over local warning measures.

Local Warning Measures

Simultaneously with the central nationwide test warning, municipalities can trigger their local warning means that are not connected to MoWaS. For the local execution of the warning action, no individual leading representatives are designated. The disaster management authorities of the cities and districts, along with control centres, are responsible for triggering warnings. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) handles the overall coordination.

Warning Channels

MoWaS can distribute warnings via numerous channels, including apps like NINA, KATWARN, and BIWAPP, regional apps, cell broadcast, radio and TV stations, newspaper editorial offices and online services, digital city information boards, and some public transport companies. In emergency situations, everyone in the corresponding mobile phone cell receives a warning via their mobile phone. Sirens are scheduled to be connected to MoWaS in the future.

Importance of Participation

Interior Minister Thomas Strobl emphasized the importance of as many municipalities in Baden-Württemberg participating in the National Warning Day so that people know how warning works locally. On this day, various warning means will be tested, including the NINA warning app, Cell Broadcast, radio, television, sirens, loudspeaker vehicles, and city information boards.

Survey and Testing

A survey conducted by the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance on September 11, 2025, starting at 11:00 a.m., will provide an opportunity for the population to share their experiences and perceptions around the warning day and the various warning means. Municipalities can use this opportunity to test their local warning concepts and warning means. The survey will remain active until midnight on September 18, 2025, and contact details for the Ministry of the Interior, for Digitalization and Communities, are available via their press office and citizen representative.

For detailed, up-to-date information about warning procedures in your specific location, it is recommended to visit the website of your local district or city administration. These authorities will inform the public in good time about the local procedures and responsible parties for the National Warning Day.