On November 26, Latvia will test the alert system - sirens and mobile notifications 0 3

In order to test the operation of the state early warning system, on Wednesday, November 26, from 10:00 to 10:10, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) will activate alarm sirens across the country for three minutes and send an emergency notification to residents' smartphones via the mobile alert system explaining the reason for the siren activation.

During the test, a wailing signal will sound for 3 minutes: 5 seconds of sound — pause — another 5 seconds of signal, and so on. The test is conducted to identify possible damage, malfunctions, or deterioration in the audibility of the sirens.

Mobile notifications will be sent to phones across Latvia simultaneously with the siren tests for the first time. It will arrive with the sound of an incoming SMS and phone vibration. This sending will ensure that the new mobile alert system operates without technical errors. Although tests have been conducted before, only the nationwide distribution will demonstrate the actual functionality of the system.

Before November 26, VUGD urges residents to update the software on their smartphones, otherwise, the notification may not arrive. Mobile alerts are a modern and fast tool for notifying in emergencies, allowing important information to be conveyed in a matter of minutes.

The service emphasizes: on this day, residents do not need to take any action, and there is no need to worry. This is a scheduled siren check and the first test of the new alert system. However, if the sirens sound outside the announced time, residents should turn on the television or radio (LTV1, LTV7, Latvijas Radio, etc.) to find out the reason for the signal and the necessary actions.

In addition, every resident of Latvia with a smartphone is encouraged to install the free application “112 Latvija,” which allows them to call or text the emergency service 112, receive danger notifications, and learn how to act in various emergency situations.