In a recent survey conducted by Megafon for the Danish Emergency Management Agency, it has been revealed that nine out of ten Danes received a siren warning on their mobile phones during the annual test of the mobile warning system “S!renen”. This is a significant increase from last year, when only 64 percent received the warning. The system, which was first tested in May last year, aims to inform citizens about acute dangers in their area. According to the Emergency Management Agency, the reason for the increased reception is, among other things, updates to mobile phone operating systems and the phasing out of the 3G network.
Lars Aabjerg Pedersen, Head of Communication and Warning at the Emergency Management Agency, expressed great satisfaction with the test results. “It contributes to ensuring that as many people as possible are informed about what is happening, where it is happening, and what to do if a dangerous situation arises,” he says. The survey also shows that 94 percent of those surveyed are familiar with the new warning system, indicating a broad understanding of and acceptance of the system in the population.
“That’s good, because hopefully people won’t be too surprised if they receive a warning on their phone in an emergency situation one day, and then they are more prepared to act,” Pedersen adds. The siren is tested annually on the first Wednesday in May at 12 p.m., and in 2023 it was the first time that the warning was also issued digitally. Prior to this year’s test, the Emergency Management Agency had expected that around 80 percent of the population would receive the test warning on their phones.
This trend in the reception of siren warnings shows a positive trend in the use of digital solutions to increase citizens’ safety in Denmark.