Following the annual test of the siren system in May, the Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen) has experienced a significant decrease in the number of inquiries from concerned citizens. This year, the agency received about five times fewer inquiries than last year, indicating an increased familiarity with the system among the population. Kristian Anker-Møller, a special consultant at the Danish Emergency Management Agency, explains that they received between 100 and 150 inquiries by phone and email in the day following the test. This is a considerable reduction compared to last year when the number was five times higher. “It is very positive to see this decrease, as it indicates that people have become more familiar with how the sirens sound and what they should do,” he said.
This year’s test also included the use of the mobile alert system, S!RENEN, which sends warnings directly to citizens’ phones. Anker-Møller believes that this has contributed to a lower level of confusion and concern among the population. “People are less surprised and therefore less shocked when they hear the siren on their phone. This is precisely one of the main purposes of the test – to make people familiar with the system and its sounds,” he explains.
The special consultant emphasizes the importance of the population knowing and understanding the alert systems so they can react correctly in case of a real emergency. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone knows how to act when they hear the siren, whether it’s during a test or an actual emergency,” says Kristian Anker-Møller. The Danish Emergency Management Agency’s positive experience with this year’s siren test and the mobile alert system gives hope that future tests will receive similar or even better reception from the public.