VMA, Important Notice to the Public, is a warning system used in the event of accidents, serious incidents and disruptions in important societal functions.
The warning system includes information on radio and television, and in some cases the outdoor warning system "Hesa Fredrik".
You can get VMA in several different channels:
- via radio and television
- from Krisinformation.se via web, app and social media
- as a notice in Sveriges Radio's app SR Play or via SOS Alarm's app 112.
In some cases, you may be warned by:
- voice message to landline telephones within the affected area
- text message to your mobile if it is used in the affected area.
If you are contacted by a VMA, follow the instructions given. Also follow the event on Sveriges Radio P4 or on Krisinformation.se. Call 113 13 (SOS Alarm's information number) if you have any questions or want to know more.
Outdoor warning with typhoons (Hesa Fredrik)
Usually, VMA is conveyed via radio and television. However, in really serious events, the outdoor warning system for important messages, also called Hesa Fredrik, is also used. The outdoor warning system can be used for emergency alarms and air raid alarms if Sweden were to go to war. The outdoor signals are tested every three months. The signal sounds continuously for seven seconds, followed by fourteen seconds of silence. The signal test lasts for at least two minutes.
If you hear the outdoor warning signal, you should:
- go in
- close windows, doors and ventilation
- Listen to Sveriges Radio P4 for more information about what to do.
Sveriges Radio is a preparedness channel with the mission of conveying information from authorities during social disruptions and crises.
You can also follow Krisinformation.se (via web, app or social media) or SVT for more information. The outdoor signal should always be followed by a message in the above-mentioned channels.
The outdoor warning system can also be used for emergency alerts and air raid alerts if Sweden were to go to war.
For those of you who live outside urban areas
Hesa Fredrik is not available everywhere, but each municipality determines where the facilities are most needed. If you live in an area that does not have a VMA horn, you can still be warned via the Krisinformation apps, SOS Alarm's 112 app and Sveriges Radio Play for notifications about important messages to the public.
For those of you who have a hearing loss
Hesa Fredrik is mainly used in cases of acute danger when an area must be evacuated quickly to prevent people from being injured. In order for those with hearing loss to be able to take advantage of such warnings, we recommend the apps Krisinformation, SOS Alarms app 112 and Sveriges Radio Play. Through these, you can receive notifications about important messages to the public and find out what you should do.
To get information about ongoing events and crises, you can either visit Krisinformation.se, the emergency preparedness channel Sveriges Radio P4 or call the telephone number 113 13. Anyone who needs support to call can use the Teletal, Bildtelefoni and Texttelefoni relay services.
Do you hear a signal that you suspect is Hesa Fredrik?
Many people contact us and think they have heard Hesa Fredrik. But the signal is actually very rarely used.
If you hear a hoot that you suspect is Hesa Fredrik, follow information via Sveriges Radio P4, SVT or at Krisinformation.se. Keep in mind that there are many different sounds that can be mistaken for a VMA signal, such as explosions on construction sites, signals from trains and alarms from industries.
The information comes from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and Swedish Radio.
Testing the signal for VMA
The outdoor warning system is tested four times a year for Important message . The test is done to check that the tutors are working and to give the people who manage the system practice.
The tests take place at 3:00 PM on the first Monday after a holiday in:
- March
- June
- September
- December
Then the signal for important announcement will be heard and Sveriges Radio will read out information about the test. The test will end at 15.05 with the signal for the danger is over . If National Day on June 6 falls on a Monday, the outdoor warning system will be tested on June 13 instead.
Those eligible to request VMA include:
- rescue leader for municipal and state rescue services
- The police
- infectious disease specialist
- SOS Alarm
- management at a facility with hazardous activities (according to the Accident Prevention Act).
For more information and an interactive map of all the VMAs on one map, visit: https://www.krisinformation.se/detta-gor-samhallet/vma-sa-varnas-allmanheten
An emergency radio helps you access the information that is broadcast via the emergency channel Sveriges Radio P4. Here you will find your emergency radio at Nordic Prep.
SOURCES: Krisinformation.se, MSB and the Swedish Armed Forces