Russia to check public warning systems in all regions on October 9
In short
Russia's Emergencies Ministry will hold a scheduled check of public warning systems in all of the country's regions on October 9, its press service said. Electric sirens and loudspeakers will be switched on, and broadcasts of public television channels and radio stations will be replaced with information messages. The ministry advised people who hear a siren to stay calm and listen to the message on any public TV channel or radio station.
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Russia's Emergencies Ministry will conduct a scheduled check of public warning systems on October 9 in all of Russia's regions, the ministry's press service said, as reported by Interfax, RIA Novosti and Vedomosti. Interfax and RIA Novosti said the check will take place on Friday. RIA Novosti quoted the ministry as saying that on October 9 a "planned large-scale check of public warning systems" will take place in the country's regions, and described it as a comprehensive planned check of whether the systems work. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
During the check, electric sirens and loudspeakers are to be switched on, and the broadcasts of public television channels and radio stations will be replaced with information messages, the ministry said. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The ministry advised people who hear a siren to stay calm, switch on any public television channel or radio station and listen to the message. According to Interfax and Vedomosti, information will also be available in the mobile app MChS Rossii (МЧС России). RIA Novosti also cited a mobile app as another channel of communication. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The ministry said the warning system is intended to bring the signal to the population in good time when natural or man-made emergencies threaten or occur. Comprehensive checks are held regularly to assess whether the warning system works and whether emergency services are ready to respond to emergencies, the ministry said. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Interfax and RIA Novosti reported the ministry as saying that the previous test run took place in March this year. Vedomosti reported that such comprehensive checks are held in the regions twice a year, in March and October. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
People across Russia will hear sirens and see public TV and radio broadcasts replaced by information messages on October 9, and the ministry has asked them to stay calm. The ministry said such checks assess whether the warning system works and whether emergency services are ready to respond to emergencies.
Key facts
- A scheduled check of public warning systems will take place on October 9 in all of Russia's regions, the Emergencies Ministry said. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Electric sirens and loudspeakers will be switched on during the check. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Broadcasts of public television channels and radio stations will be replaced with information messages. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry advised people who hear a siren to stay calm, switch on any public TV channel or radio station and listen to the message. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Information will also be available in the mobile app MChS Rossii (МЧС России). [ 1 , 4 ]
- The previous test run took place in March this year, the ministry said. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Vedomosti reported that such comprehensive checks are held twice a year, in March and October. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A scheduled check of public warning systems will take place on October 9 in all of Russia's regions. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Electric sirens and loudspeakers will be switched on, and public TV and radio broadcasts will be replaced with information messages. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- People who hear a siren are advised to stay calm, switch on any public TV channel or radio station and listen to the message. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Information will also be available in the mobile app MChS Rossii (МЧС России). [ 1 , 4 ]
- The previous test run took place in March this year. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The checks are held to assess whether the warning system works and whether emergency services are ready to respond to emergencies. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The time of day the check will start and how long it will last. None of the reports gives a time or duration for the check on October 9.
- Whether the checks are held twice a year, in March and October. Only Vedomosti reports this schedule; the other outlets say only that checks are regular and the previous one was in March.