A new IT system behind the familiar siren sound

When the Danish Emergency Management Agency and the police activated sirens across Denmark at 12 noon today, it marked the first major test of the new digital warning system developed by Systematic.

Ahead of the siren test, citizens also received a mobile alert. Sirens and mobile alerts together form the core of Denmark's national warning system.

The new siren warning system replaces an older system that had been in use since 1992. Above all, usability and security have been significantly upgraded. The new solution also delivers better uptime, greater flexibility, and improved future-proofing.

The warning system has been developed by Systematic to ensure that the police can quickly and precisely alert citizens in the event of accidents or disasters that threaten public safety and health. Siren warnings have been a fixed part of Denmark's emergency preparedness since the Cold War in 1951.

Easy to define areas - fast to warn

With the new solution, police and emergency services can define the geographic area to be warned within seconds. This is done by drawing a circle or polygon over the affected area on a digital map, after which all sirens within the area are activated automatically.

Every night, the system runs a silent test of the country's sirens. Any faults are registered automatically and compiled in a report to the emergency services so they can be addressed on an ongoing basis.

"When the sirens sound, it is because something serious is happening. The police and emergency services need to be able to define the area and activate the warning within seconds, and it has to work when it matters. That requirement is what the entire solution is built around - and we are proud to contribute to protecting our society and strengthening Denmark’s resilience," says Anders Goul Nielsen, Head of National Security & Infrastructure at Systematic.

The Danish Emergency Management Agency owns the system, while the police operate it.