VMA, Important Communication to the Public, is a warning system used in the event of accidents and serious incidents, in the event of severe disruptions in important societal functions and in crisis management in connection with extraordinary events.
Important announcement, WC, will be tested at 3 pm on the first non-holiday Monday in March, June, September and December
The alarm is popularly called Hesa Fredrik and is a manual handling that the rescue service takes care of and “presses the button”. The alarm is heard from sirens and electronic sound transmitters that are located on a total of 4,500 roofs around Sweden.
Here’s how to proceed
In the first instance, it is the rescue chief or rescue leader who decides whether the outdoor warning system should be used in the event of immediate danger to life, health and the environment.
If you hear the signal when the alarm is not a test, you should:
About 50 percent of Sweden’s population lives within audible distance to a siren when they are outdoors.
Difference between the World Cup and flight alarms
An important message is what can primarily be heard in peacetime and it is tested at 3 pm on the first Monday of each quarter. It is a 7 second signal and 14 second pause and is repeated 6 times. The aircraft alarm is a 2 second signal and a 2 second pause for 2 minutes. The danger signal is a signal for 30 seconds.
There is also a standby alarm that is 30 seconds and 15 seconds pause for 5 minutes. The signal was first tested in 1931.
Source: MSB