Austria's new AT-Alert system will send test emergency warnings directly to mobile phones of all residents in Tyrol and nearby areas to check with it is working correctly.
The AT-Alert system has been created to help faster crisis communication during disasters.
This system delivers emergency warnings directly to mobile phones without needing an app or registration. It is designed to notify people in crisis situations such as extreme weather, police incidents, or industrial accidents.
The Monday test will send alerts to mobile phones in specific regions in Tyrol. The Provincial Warning Centre (LWZ) and local mobile operators will send messages. Residents near state borders may also receive warnings from neighbouring regions.
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Tyrol's government says the Monday test messages will be "clearly formulated as test warnings".
The highest alert level, the "emergency alert," is activated automatically and cannot be switched off, ensuring that everyone in the designated test areas receives the message, according to a government press release.
What is the AT-Alert system?
The Federal Ministry of the Interior developed the AT-Alert system as part of Austria's broader efforts to modernise its emergency response capabilities. The system can issue faster and more targeted warnings based on geographical location, delivering important safety recommendations within seconds of a potential crisis.
"This means that all those affected - whether locals, guests or people passing through - will be warned of a possible danger within a very short time," said provincial councillor Astrid Mair.
The highest alert level, which will be primarily used during the test, does not require any action from users. However, lower warning levels need to be activated manually in mobile phone settings.
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The system complements traditional public warning systems, such as sirens, ensuring that those without a phone are still alerted in case of an emergency.
Elmar Rizzoli, Head of the Tyrolean Centre for Crisis and Disaster Management, emphasised that the test phase will involve various alerts sent across different municipalities and districts in Tyrol.
During this period, citizens will receive messages formulated clearly as test warnings.
For further information on AT-Alert, instructions for activating warning levels, and details about the test, citizens can visit www.at-alert.at or www.tirol.gv.at/at-alert.
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