One of the most important component of the national security system is common warning system. During any emergency situation informing citizens about coming danger is crucial. In these situations time often plays significant role to act accordingly to a threat. Only effective warning system can provide time needed for proper reactions that may save life. To achieve this result, system must be reliable. It means that public authorities should rely on more than one warning system. At the same time they cannot overuse the signals, what in result leads to ignored warns. On the one hand, the communicates should be comprehensible, precise and adequate to potential danger. On the other hand citizens should know how to behave in case of alarm.
Polish warning system operates on the basis of the regulations of the Council of Ministers and mainly relies on the stationary sirens. It is used during the state of emergency to reduce the disruptive impact of natural disasters, technical catastrophes or terrorist attacks that can cause chemical, biological and radioactive contamination. Moreover, the sirens can be activated to warn people against an air strike or Òrenegade aircraftÓ. Voivodes are responsible for the systemÕs functioning in the voivodships. On the national level the Chief of the National Civil Defence coordinates the system operations. Therefore, this matter is narrowed to military threats.
Over the years of system functioning, some technical limitations were identified.
First of the issues is related to gaps in the system coverage. There are areas in Poland, with low inhabitation, where the sound of the alarm may not always be audible. Although in these places it is planned to use mobile devices to warn citizens.
Furthermore the system is based mainly on the old-type devices that deliver only module signal. This makes impossible to add any information essential to the warning that citizens should know. The problem appears for example during the systemÕs tests. Despite the announcements in media, people are confused when they hear sirens.
This also limits drastically the availability of warning for people with disabilities. As a result, time of their reaction can be much longer. In extramal case, person with hearing disability can be completely unaware of danger.
Knowing legacy systemÕs strengths and weakness Ministry decided to implement an alternative solution that would make use of technology development. The purpose of envisaged system was to complement and enhance the existing structures. In consequence, new method of warning people should be easily and commonly available.
The analysis showed that the best broadcast medium with adequate technical potential has been television. Telewizja Polska S.A. (TVP S.A.), the only public TV broadcaster in Poland, had created the largest television network. It offers general, regional and specialty channels. The coverage of the TVP regional branches were similar to the voivodshipsÕ boundaries. Thus voivodes could publish the warnings regarding only their territory.
Additionally, in 2012 process of transition only to digital broadcasting begun in Poland. Simultaneously, analogue broadcast was switched-off. This governmental decision gave new possibilities and more flexibility for signal emission. Digital broadcasting gives opportunity to transmit additional data like soundtracks or subtitles during emission.
Moreover, seeing that mobile applications has become more and more popular, especially among young people, Ministry decided to include this element to the Regional Warning System. The application allowed to enlarge number of recipients and the scope of emergency situation types that citizens should be informed about. It also gave the possibility to publish emergency guidebooks in one more place (despite, teletext pages of TVP channels).
Nowadays, there is a chance to engage another branch of mass media to the system Ð digital radio. Similarly to the television, due to technology development there is a possibility to automatically interrupt the program to announce the warning. Simultaneously, text or picture on the radio screen can be visible.