Tomorrow, Thursday, September 26, Lake Garda will be involved in an important public safety exercise simulating a hypothetical nuclear alarm. Starting at 10 AM, the mobile phones of residents and visitors in the area will emit a distinctive sound to signal the activation of the “It-Alert” system. This test is part of efforts to verify the effectiveness of information dissemination to the public in the event of emergencies.
Details of the It-Alert Test
The It-Alert system, active throughout Italy since the beginning of the year, continues to undergo testing through specific local simulations. The primary goal is to assess not only the reception of messages by citizens but also the internal procedures of the Civil Protection in Trentino. During tomorrow’s exercise, a nuclear incident occurring in Switzerland with potential effects on the region will be simulated.
Dozens of “sentinels” will be present to monitor the effectiveness of the communication and collect data on message reception, which will be sent to all mobile phones. The observations gathered will be combined with results obtained through online questionnaires that citizens can voluntarily complete.
Message Received
The message that users will receive during the test will be formulated as follows: “TEST TEST This is a TEST MESSAGE from IT-alert. A SIMULATION of a nuclear incident at a facility located in a foreign country with potential repercussions in your area is underway. To learn what message you will receive in the event of a real danger and to fill out the questionnaire, visit www.it-alert.gov.it TEST TEST.”
It is important to emphasize that no application is needed to receive this alert and that the It-Alert system fully respects user privacy.
Upcoming Scheduled Tests
Following tomorrow’s exercise, further tests are already scheduled for next month. On October 7 at 10 AM, a situation related to the collapse of the Pian Palù dam in the municipality of Peio will be simulated, while at the end of October, a simulation concerning a significant industrial incident will take place. These activities are crucial for ensuring the community’s preparedness for potential critical situations.
Italian Version
