HÖRMANN Warnsysteme is setting up a district-wide siren network in the Böblingen district
Kirchseeon, October 22, 2026 – Work is beginning in the Böblingen district on the installation of one of the larger municipal siren networks in Baden-Württemberg. HÖRMANN Warnsysteme GmbH has won the district-wide framework contract and will provide the overall concept for a total of 262 siren systems. Implementation begins now and will continue over the coming years. Fifteen municipalities are opting for sirens with voice announcements, while seven others are choosing systems without voice announcements.
This followed a joint call for bids: The district and numerous towns and municipalities within it had joined forces to procure a comprehensive network from a single source. HÖRMANN Warnsysteme was awarded the contract as the most cost-effective bidder with the most compelling overall concept. The framework agreement was signed around the time of the nationwide warning day on September 10, 2026, when the federal government, states, and municipalities will jointly test the warning systems. The warning was issued around 11:00 a.m., and the all-clear was given around 11:45 a.m. The warning was disseminated via alert apps such as NINA, via radio and television, and via cell broadcast, which reaches all cell phones even without an app.
The value of the siren becomes particularly apparent when cell service or power goes out: It issues warnings independently of the grid, outdoors, indoors, and even at night. In this way, it fills a gap that digital warning systems alone cannot cover. This is exactly where the Böblingen network comes in. It uses electronic sirens that emit signal tones and spoken announcements. The spoken announcement bridges the gap from a simple alarm to specific instructions for action: People not only hear that something is happening, but also learn what to do. The systems are controlled via a central platform that enables municipalities to activate and monitor their sirens.
Joint procurement pays off for the participating municipalities. Each municipality bears the costs for its own systems, while the district handles technical planning support and coordination. Thanks to the district-wide request for proposals and the large quantity ordered, the bid is significantly below the originally estimated budget.
District Administrator Roland Bernhard describes the project as follows: “The establishment of a district-wide siren network is a milestone for the safety of the population in the Böblingen district. Only those who are informed can respond appropriately.” Deputy District Administrator Martin Wuttke, responsible for disaster and civil protection, emphasizes the role of the siren as a network-independent warning system and a useful supplement to the existing warning infrastructure. At the same time, he calls on the federal and state governments to make the siren funding programs permanent and to provide adequate funding so that the warning infrastructure does not become a patchwork: “A disaster does not respect municipal boundaries.”
For HÖRMANN Warning Systems, the project is an example of how municipalities are working together across their borders to build resilience. Reliable warnings provide the crucial head start against danger. This is precisely why HÖRMANN Warnsysteme develops, installs, and maintains its solutions—from planning through ongoing operation.
About HÖRMANN Warnsysteme HÖRMANN Warnsysteme GmbH, a globally active family-owned company, develops, implements, and maintains intelligent warning systems for governments, businesses, and organizations. With over 70 years of experience and more than 70,000 sirens in over 45 countries, the company is one of the leading providers in civil protection. The systems are developed and manufactured in Germany. Made in Germany.
