Warning the Population

Sirens have a particularly important wake-up effect. Their signal is loud and perceptible over a larger area. This allows even people who are sleeping or not using a smartphone to be reached.

A one-minute rising and falling tone indicates danger. If you hear this signal, you should use other warning channels to learn about the specific danger and recommended actions.

These include, for example, the NINA warning app, local radio stations, or official websites.

A one-minute continuous tone means all-clear.

The NINA Warning App (Emergency Information and News App of the Federal Government) provides important warning messages for civil protection.

Through NINA, you can receive warnings about hazardous material spreads, major fires, and other dangerous situations. Weather warnings from the German Weather Service and flood information from the responsible authorities are also integrated into the app.

In NINA, you can subscribe to districts, municipalities, or freely selectable locations. If there is a warning for a selected area, you will receive a notification on your smartphone.

The use of NINA is possible without providing personal data.

With Cell Broadcast, warning messages can be sent directly to mobile phones in a specific area. An app or prior registration is not required.

The warning is transmitted via mobile network cells to compatible devices. No personal data is collected or processed in the process.

To receive Cell Broadcast warnings, your mobile phone should be switched on and not in airplane mode.

After receiving a Cell Broadcast warning, you should additionally inform yourself via other warning channels, such as NINA or a local radio station.

The radio is an important warning channel, especially as warnings can be disseminated quickly and with further information. Crank radios and battery-operated radios are helpful as they can be used even during power outages.

The fire and rescue control center of the Oberbergischer Kreis can interrupt the ongoing broadcast on Radio Berg and speak directly into the program to quickly deliver important warning messages to the population.

FM frequencies of Radio Berg
Bergneustadt, Gummersbach, Reichshof, Wiehl: 105.7 / 105.2
Engelskirchen, Hückeswagen, Lindlar, Marienheide, Radevormwald, Wipperfürth: 105.2
​​​​​​​Morsbach, Nümbrecht, Waldbröl: 105.7

Warning and loudspeaker vehicles enable direct on-site communication with the population and can be used particularly when a quick and targeted warning is required. They are especially important during power or mobile network outages, as they can reach the population independently of digital warning tools.

Fire departments, police, or other emergency services can use loudspeaker announcements to inform about dangers, necessary evacuations, or important behavioral measures.

If you hear a loudspeaker announcement, pay close attention to the information and follow the instructions of the emergency services and authorities.

Social media and the Internet complement population warnings with quick and up-to-date information. Authorities can use their official social media channels and websites to publish warnings, situational updates, and behavioral recommendations.

In case of an event, use only official and reliable sources such as the channels and websites of the district administration, cities and municipalities, and other responsible authorities. The federal warning portal also provides current official warning messages.

Since unverified information and rumors can spread quickly, especially on social media, warnings should always be checked for their source and accuracy before being shared.

In special events, the district administration can set up a citizen hotline. There, citizens can receive important information about the current event.

The phone number and availability of the citizen hotline will be announced in the respective warning as well as through the official information channels.