If there is a risk to life, health or extensive damage to property or the environment, among others, the rescue service, police and SOS Alarm can request that a VMA be issued to warn the public.
Previously, the warnings were mainly about fires, but since January 2024 and until June 10 this year, 59 VMAs have been issued, of which over a quarter (16) are for something other than a fire. This is shown by TT's compilation of the warning messages sent out according to the Krisinformation website.
Some of them concern high pressure on healthcare or disruptions in the telephone network, but there are also more warnings about suspected hazardous objects, nine since January 2024, compared to one warning during the years 2022-2023.
"Finding hand grenades"
The police have also previously been able to request VMA via SOS Alarm, but have in recent years begun to do so to a greater extent, according to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).
As I see it, it is mainly societal development that has caused the police to use VMA to a much greater extent. A few years ago, there were also explosions and shootings, but now it has escalated. They find hand grenades and all sorts of things, says Håkan Marcusson, system architect for warning systems, at MSB.
"Restrictively"
In Skåne, there are several examples of this – so far this year, warnings have been issued, among other things, for suspected hazardous objects in Malmö and a hand grenade in Bjärred.
Lisa Juniwik, section manager at the police's regional management center in the south, shares the picture that the external situation may have contributed to more VMAs. During a training session within the agency in 2023, the possibility of warning via SMS was also highlighted – which may have contributed to a certain increase.
What we have used primarily when there have been explosions or hazardous objects is SMS sent out targeted to a specific area. It can be a city district or a narrow area around a farm, where we can limit the dispatch but make it safer for citizens, she says.
In the assessments of what to warn about, the police weigh, among other things, what a request for VMA has for effect versus the anxiety it can create.
It is a part of our toolbox, then it should still be used restrictively so that the message reaches the public.
Used to warn the public in the event of accidents, serious incidents and disruptions in important social functions, such as fires, gas leaks or other events that can be hazardous. VMA is broadcast via radio and TV, but the information can also be sent as an SMS to mobile phones in the affected area or accessed via Krisinformation.se. Those who have apps from SOS Alarm, Krisinformation, or SR Play also receive a notice on their mobile phone.
In really serious events, the outdoor warning system with typhoons, known as Hesa Fredrik, is also used. When this signal is given, you should go indoors, close windows, doors and ventilation and listen to Sveriges Radio P4 for more information.
Source: Krisinformation.se
