Romania's Department for Emergency Situations announced on its Facebook page that it would conduct “the largest emergency siren test” next week, from April 18 to April 21.

Thus, for four days, between 10:00 and 15:00, the sirens will be tested alternatively in Bucharest and all the counties in Romania.

Based on the type of alarm, the sirens will sound differently, the Department for Emergency Situations explained. Thus, the alarm for disasters is made of five sounds of 16 seconds each, with breaks of 10 seconds between them, while the air raid pre-warning consists of three sounds of 32 seconds each, with breaks of 12 seconds between them. Meanwhile, the air raid warning is made of 15 four-second sounds with breaks of four seconds between them. There is also the alarm marking the end of the warning, which represents a two-minute long single sound.

As it will be just a test, the Department for Emergency Situations recommends citizens to remain calm and check the information from the authorities.

Through this exercise, the Romanian authorities aim to test and check the system of notification, warning and alarm in emergency situations.

How well are the Romanian authorities prepared to handle a big earthquake?

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com