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AT-Alert—the automatic cell phone disaster and crisis alerts in the event of storms, “threatening police situations,” or technical hazards such as chemical accidents—is finally on track. The federal states announced on Thursday that the new population warning system will enter the final test phase throughout Austria from September 9th. If everything runs smoothly in the following weeks, “live operation” will start on October 5.
However, according to the Tyrolean government, the test phase does not mean that test warnings will be sent out nationwide starting September 9th. Rather, this would only occur 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 would be informed. Near the border, citizens could also receive warnings from a neighboring federal state.
No app or registration required
However, the technical effort for those to be warned is close to zero: the new cell broadcast system, which implements an EU directive, requires neither an app nor registration. You only need to activate the reception of such messages on your cell phone.
The warnings are triggered by the state warning centers, the other security authorities, or the Ministry of the Interior and are then sent via the mobile phone operators to everyone who is in a certain section of the network, a so-called “radio cell,” regardless of whether they are locals or foreign guests or people passing through. “Only the current geographical location counts,” explained Rizzoli.
The alert consists of a short text message 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 Councillor for Security, Astrid Mair (ÖVP). She spoke of a “milestone”, saying that Austria’s new system would “revolutionize” population warning.
However, AT-Alert is not a replacement but a “supplement” to other public warning systems such as siren signals, messages from the country, or weather warnings. “Even if you don’t have a cell phone, you will still be warned,” emphasized the provincial councilor. Those responsible in Tyrol also emphasized that there must be a concrete danger before such an AT alert is issued.
Test phase in Burgenland
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, as was also assured here.
It was also emphasized that the all-clear will be sent out after every alert. 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 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.
First warning message in Carinthia
Meanwhile, Carinthia has already announced more specific details about the start of the test phase. 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 the Austria-wide Civil Protection Week. AT-Alert was developed under the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior. The launch was originally announced for 2023. More information can be found at www.at-alert.at.
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