"AT-Alert"

Disaster alert for cell phones in final test phase

"AT-Alert" is intended to warn of disasters or crises such as storms, "threatening police situations" or technical hazards such as chemical accidents.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/ImageFlow)

"AT-Alert", the disaster alert for cell phones, is now finally on track. The new population warning system will enter the final test phase throughout Austria on September 9th, the federal states announced on Thursday. If everything works smoothly in the following weeks, "live operation" will start on October 5.

However, the test phase does not mean that test warnings will be sent out nationwide from September 9th, according to those responsible in the province of Tyrol. Rather, this would only take place in individual municipalities, districts or areas, explained the head of the Center for Crisis and Disaster Management, Elmar Rizzoli.

Everyone without exception who is in the test area and has a cell phone with them will be informed. Near the border, citizens could also receive warnings from a neighboring federal state.

However, the technical effort for those to be warned is close to zero: the new "Cell Broadcast System", which implements an EU directive among other things, requires neither an app nor registration. All you need to do is activate the reception of such messages on your cell phone.

The warning messages are automatically sent to all users in a cell.

(Bild: tirol.gv.at)

Here's how it works: the warnings are triggered by the state warning centers, other security authorities or the Ministry of the Interior and are then sent via the mobile network operators to everyone who is in a certain section of the network, a so-called radio cell - regardless of whether they are locals, foreign guests or people passing through. "Only the current geographical location counts," explained Rizzoli.

Multi-level warning system
The warning consists of a short text message that is sent out in German and English. "AT-Alert" comprises several warning levels that can be used depending on the danger situation - from the highest level, the emergency message, to warnings about significant dangers and information about missing persons.

The highest warning level, "Emergency", is automatically activated, but all other warning levels should also be activated, recommended Tyrol's State Security Councillor Astrid Mair (ÖVP). She spoke of a "milestone", saying that the new system would "revolutionize" population warning in Austria.

The receipt of emergency notifications must be activated in the smartphone settings.

(Bild: tirol.gv.at)

Supplement to public warning systems
However, "AT-Alert" is not a replacement, but a "supplement" to other types of public warning systems such as siren signals, notifications from the state or weather warnings. "Even if you don't have a cell phone, you will still be warned," emphasized the provincial councillor. Those responsible in Tyrol also emphasized that there must be a concrete danger before such an "AT Alert" is issued.

Meanwhile, Burgenland, where the state security center acts as the state warning center, also provided information about the new population warning system on Thursday. During the test phase from September 9 to October 5, a test warning will be formulated and sent out, but it is not yet clear when. In any case, the system will not be used in an inflationary manner, but in actual emergencies, it was also assured here. It was also emphasized that the all-clear will be sent out after every alert.

Further information
The advantage of the new warning system is that, in contrast to the civil defense alert - where only the signal is transmitted - the messages also contain information about the incident. In addition to brief initial information, the messages also contain a link to a homepage with further details. The population was urged to call up this information in the event of an incident and not to call the emergency numbers - as these would otherwise be overloaded.

Meanwhile, Carinthia has already announced more specific details about the start of the test phase. For example, test warnings will be sent to cell phones in the municipality of Arriach (Villach-Land district) on September 9 at 12:00 noon. Due to the overlapping of the transmission masts, the message could also be received by cell phones in parts of the municipalities of Bad Kleinkirchheim, Feld am See, Reichenau, Gnesau, Himmelberg, Steindorf and Treffen, according to a press release from the province.

In any case, live operation is scheduled to begin after the test phase on October 5, to coincide with the start of Austria-wide Civil Protection Week. "AT-Alert" was developed under the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior. The launch was originally planned for 2023.