Siren test in Dresden: test alarm on Wednesday at 3 p.m.!

Siren test in Dresden: test alarm on Wednesday at 3 p.m.!

Today is an important day for the safety of Dresden's population: On July 9, 2025, at exactly 3 p.m., a comprehensive test of the siren warning system will be carried out. 210 sirens in the city are activated simultaneously and trigger a test alarm for twelve seconds. The characteristic signal is based on a single increase, followed by a hold and then a decrease, ending with a gong. This reports t-online.de.

The test is not just a routine exercise, but primarily serves to regularly check the functionality of the warning systems in the event of an emergency. Dresden is one of the cities with one of the most modern siren warning systems in Germany, which is installed at 210 locations. These sirens are more than just classic alarm devices; they can also generate voice announcements to convey specific warnings. This enables precise and effective communication in the event of a crisis, as the city administration reports. Information about this can also be found on the city’s platform at dresden.de.

Functionality even in the event of a power failure

A particularly notable feature of the siren system is the battery backup, which ensures that the systems continue to function for up to 48 hours even in the event of a power failure. The city's fire and disaster control office also checks the sirens four times a year, on the second Wednesday of each quarter. The next regular test alarm is scheduled for October 8, 2025, also at 3 p.m.

Dresden also actively participates in nationwide warning days and will take part in this important initiative next September 11, 2025. These regular checks are crucial to ensure that the system responds quickly and efficiently in the event of an emergency. An aspect that is in line with the federal government's siren funding program, which aims to increase the importance and use of sirens in Germany bbk.bund.de explained.

Background and meaning of the sirens

The need for a well-functioning warning system has become particularly clear in recent years due to events such as the 2021 flood disaster. Despite these challenges, sirens are not widely available in Germany and many devices no longer meet current standards. With the siren funding program, the federal government not only wants to modernize the technical systems, but also create a uniform transmission network in order to be able to warn the population effectively in an emergency. A total of 14.5 million euros is available for this purpose for the years 2023 and 2024.

However, the decision about whether to provide sirens rests with the cities and municipalities. Information about funding and how to apply for it is available from the respective municipal administration. This underlines the shared responsibility of public institutions and citizens to be well prepared in an emergency.

A well-functioning warning system is not only a sign of modernity, but also an important security tool. With its test run today, the city of Dresden is showing that it has a good hand at this and has the safety of its citizens at the top of its agenda.