On May 23 of this year, from 10:00 to 10:10, alarm sirens will be activated for three minutes throughout the country to check the activation procedure of the national early warning system and its operation, as well as to detect damage or interference in the operation of the alarm sirens and the audibility of their sound signal. During the alarm siren test, a wave signal will sound for 3 minutes, which means that the sound signal will sound for 5 seconds, followed by a break, and a repeated 5-second sound signal and break will continue.
On this day, residents have no reason to worry and no further action is required, as this is just a regular siren test. The State Fire and Rescue Service reminds that in cases where residents have not been previously warned about the siren test, upon hearing the siren signal, they must turn on their television and radio or other devices, such as mobile phone radio receivers (Latvian public media - “Latvijas televizijas” channels LTV1 and LTV7, or “Latvijas radio” broadcasting channels), to receive information about the reason for their switching on and the necessary action.
In cases where it is necessary to spread a warning to the population about natural or man-made disasters and their possible threats as soon as possible, alarm sirens may be activated. If you do not hear the alarm sirens during the test, do not worry, as other notification methods will also be used in emergency situations, for example, transmitting information through the loudspeakers of the emergency services and their cooperation partners.
The State Fire and Rescue Service conducts a semi-annual inspection of alarm sirens, which is necessary to verify the technical readiness of the early warning system – the technical condition of the alarm sirens, possible damage or disruptions in the operation of the sirens, as well as the performance of the agreements concluded between the State Fire and Rescue Service and electronic media (radio, TV), which will inform the public in the event of a threat.
The State Fire and Rescue Service calls on hotel administrations to inform their foreign guests about the upcoming siren test to avoid unnecessary worries.
Ukrainian civilians located in the territory of Latvia have been asked to send SMS messages to mobile operators on May 16 and May 22 with information that a planned siren test will take place on May 23. We invite residents and the media to share the attached poster, which has been created in Ukrainian, so that as many Ukrainian civilians as possible learn about this test and avoid unnecessary anxiety.
In accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 440 of 8 August 2017 “Procedures for the Establishment, Operation and Financing of the State Early Warning System”, the State Fire Service conducts a readiness test of alarm sirens to check the operation and technical condition of the alarm sirens, as well as cooperation with the media (radio and TV).
Every resident of Latvia who has a smartphone is invited to download and use the new free app "112 Latvia", which provides the user with several advantages - the ability to call or send a text message to the unified emergency call number 112, receive notifications about possible threats and learn how to act in various dangerous situations.
