Wednesday, 1 February 2012

TipTopSwiss 32:366

As I write, 13.30 is approaching, and across Switzerland people are getting ready to be deafened by sirens. Today is National 'Test the Sirens Day'

I knew about this as I read the article below in the Winterthurer Stadtanzeiger that someone thoughtfully delivers every Tuesday! John received an email and decided to forward it to me as he hadn't read the article and I forgot to tell him!

Every year, on the first Wednesday in February, all sirens across Switzerland are tested. The aim is to ascertain the operational readiness of both the ”General Alarm” and the ”Water Alarm” sirens. The population is notified beforehand through announcements on the radio, on TV and in the press. The general public is not required to adopt a particular behaviour or take protective measures, but simply asked in advance for their understanding of the inconvenience caused by the noise of the sirens.
Two alarm signals
At 1.30 p.m. the ”General Alarm” signal is sounded across Switzerland. This is a regular ascending and descending tone, which lasts for one minute, and is repeated once after a two-minute interval. Where necessary, the sirens can continue to be tested until 2 p.m. From 2.15 p.m. to 3 p.m. (at the latest), the ”Water Alarm” signal is tested in those areas that are in the proximity of dams.
So today's word and phrase  is ein Sirenentest - an alarm test
ein regelmässig  auf- und absteigender heulton von einer Minute Dauer - a regular ascending and descending wail lasting one minute 
Update - here's the noise!

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