Finland to test public warning sirens on Monday

Finland will test public warning system on Monday as a part of routine monthly test of public warning sirens, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release on Friday. Sirens are tested at 12.00 noon on the first Monday of each month, excepting on public holidays. The test signal is a continuous sound that lasts for seven seconds. People in the area do not need to take any action. Regular testing helps identify repair needs in the system. The rescue departments of the wellbeing services counties maintain the public warning system. Everyone should recognise the test signal and the warning signal and understand what the public warning signal means. The public warning signal is a rising and falling sound that lasts for one minute. It tells people outdoors to move indoors and follow the instructions of the authorities. The all-clear signal is a continuous sound that lasts for one minute. Authorities sound a public warning signal to warn people outdoors about smoke, gas or other danger. Public warning sirens may also be used to warn people about drone threats if the rescue authorities so decide. Public warning sirens are primarily intended to warn people who are outdoors. Sirens are mainly located in areas with the highest number of people. They do not cover all areas, and the sound may not be loud enough to be heard indoors. Public warning sirens form part of Finland's multi-channel emergency warning system. An emergency warning is always issued when the public warning signal is sounded. Authorities publish emergency warnings in the 112 Suomi app, on the radio, on teletext page 112 and, if needed, on television. They also use other channels such as the Finnish Broadcasting Companys Yle app and the 112.fi, pelastustoimi.fi and yle.fi websites. Commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior, the Emergency Services Academy Finland is preparing a report on the public warning system from December 2025. The aim is to produce a national plan for developing the fixed public warning system.