A public warning system will be tested in Finland on 1 June
This is according to Yle.
The test will take place at midday
According to the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, public warning sirens will be activated at 12:00 local time on Monday, 1 June. Such tests are carried out on the first Monday of every month, except on public holidays. The ministry emphasised that citizens must be able to distinguish between a test signal and a real danger warning.
How the warning system works
The test signal is a continuous sound lasting seven seconds and requires no action from the public. The public warning signal lasts one minute and consists of a rising and falling sound. If it is sounded, people are advised to immediately take shelter indoors and follow the authorities’ instructions. The ‘all clear’ signal also lasts one minute, but is continuous.
Sirens can also be used to warn of drones
The Ministry of the Interior has stated that the system is designed to inform the public about smoke, gas leaks and other dangerous situations. In addition, emergency services can use the sirens to warn of threats related to drones.
The system also includes a mobile app
The sirens are just one part of Finland’s multi-layered emergency alert system. Alerts are also distributed via the 112 Suomi mobile app. According to Yle, it has become the most popular free app on the App Store and Google Play in Finland. The app has been downloaded over a million times on Google Play.
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