Sometimes, you’re minding your own business, folding laundry, binging on Netflix, it’s roughly noon on a perfect Saturday.
AND THEN THE AIR RAIDS BEGIN
It’s not a real air raid, probably; it’s the testing of the alarm system and it is loud and scary as shit if you don’t know it’s coming. I used to live directly across from, and at the same level as, the siren in downtown so that was extra fun the first time it happened.
These are indeed leftover air raid sirens that are still used today. Normally in the states if I heard this sound I would think “tornado” and the signaling of severe weather would be one of the uses for these alarms today. They are tested by the fire department quarterly. Should there be a catastrophe, this is the way the city will spread the news so it’s good they’re tested regularly.
But even though the testing is loud, they do let you know when and what sounds you will hear during the test, which is quite considerate. You can also find it on their Twitter:
These tests happen in many municipalities around Germany so if you hear the sirens where you are, chances are you can find information on them online (google Sirenenprobe plus your town name).
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