On Tuesday, 22 November, Latvia’s State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) will be conducting tests of the country’s warning sirens by switching them on for three minutes.
VUGD will also conduct tests in regards to mass media capabilities in keeping residents informed of any catastrophes or other risks to state security or public safety.
Sirens will be switched on for three minutes between 10:00 a.m. and 10:20 a.m. on 22 November. According to the chief of VUGD Civil Protection Office, Col. Ivars Nakurts, siren tests are conducted in order to determine the state of the early warning system and uncover any possible malfunctions.
If sirens are not heard during the test, VUGD invites residents not to worry, as in some cases, when sirens aren’t used, other means of informing residents of danger may be used.
There is a network of 164 sirens in Latvia. All of them are located in a way to ensure maximum coverage within 1.5 km radius, VUGD reminds.
The service also stresses that in cases when society is not warned about siren tests in advance, residents should tune in to television or radio to receive information about the reason why sirens were activated and what they should do.
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