Input from nationwide public warning system test collected on siren networks in nine cities

Today, the Estonian Rescue Services Agency, together with its partners, tested the nationwide public warning system EE-ALARM. As part of the exercise, the siren network was activated during the afternoon, notifications were sent via the Eesti app and the “Ole valmis!” mobile application, and public warning text banners were displayed on ERR channels. 

One of the main objectives of the test was to assess the audibility of the siren network not only in Tallinn but also in several smaller towns, and to determine whether the developments implemented to date have been sufficient. Sound pressure levels were measured in Kärdla, Keila, Kuressaare, Valga, Võru, Põlva, Viljandi, Sillamäe and Paldiski. The measurement results will provide valuable input for the Estonian Rescue Service Agency and the Ministry of the Interior’s Information Technology and Development Centre (SMIT) when assessing the need to expand and increase the density of the siren network. 

October is Civil Protection Month, and several institutions and businesses used the occasion to practise sheltering procedures during the exercise. 

According to Viktor Saaremets, Deputy Director General of the Estonian Rescue Service, a public warning system test provides an excellent opportunity to take a moment to refresh the skills needed to cope in crisis situations, including sheltering. 

“There are a few simple principles to follow when sheltering. If you hear a siren, you must seek shelter immediately. You should shelter wherever you happen to be and ensure that there are several solid walls between you and the outside environment. Whenever possible, move to the lowest floor available and stay away from windows and doors,” said Saaremets. 

“Thank you to all the individuals and organisations that took the time to practise sheltering, whether at work or at home. If you were unable to do so today, it is worth finding another moment to discuss and practise sheltering procedures with your family,” he added. 

Advance notification of the test began around midday, when SMS messages informing people of the test were sent out. Within 17 minutes, the message had reached one million devices. 

The sirens were activated around 15:00, and according to preliminary data, the entire siren network across Estonia was activated within seconds and at the intended volume. 

The technical aspects of the interfaces of the websites kriis.ee and olevalmis.ee were also tested and functioned without issue. From now on, these websites can be used to verify the authenticity of messages issued through the EE-ALARM public warning system. 

During the exercise, alerts were transmitted to the Eesti app, developed by the Estonian Information System Authority (RIA), and the “Ole valmis!” mobile application, developed by the Women's Voluntary Defence Organisation. Notifications relating to the nationwide test were also distributed through ERR channels, with warning banners displayed on the ETV and ETV+ television channels, on the ERR.ee website and in the ERR News mobile application. 

The Estonian Rescue Service encourages everyone to provide feedback on the EE-ALARM test via the survey available on kriis.ee. Feedback can be submitted until the end of the week. 

The next nationwide EE-ALARM public warning system test will take place on February 10, 2027. 

By the end of March 2027, Estonia will also introduce cell broadcast, a mobile network-based emergency alerting capability that enables public warning messages to be delivered instantaneously to smartphones. Depending on the severity of the threat, the system will be able to alert users through sound and visual notifications even when their phones are set to silent mode. This will provide an additional public warning channel alongside SMS, with delivery speed that does not depend on the number of devices receiving the alert.