WEBVTT

00:00:00.147 --> 00:00:03.684
Hello and welcome to our press
conference in the wake

00:00:03.812 --> 00:00:06.054
of the 164th government meeting.

00:00:06.158 --> 00:00:09.890
Today, the government
approved the advertising campaign

00:00:10.011 --> 00:00:14.950
for the SI-ALARM notification
and warning system.

00:00:15.089 --> 00:00:18.628
The system will enable
the fast distribution

00:00:18.743 --> 00:00:22.573
of urgent warnings in the form
of push notifications

00:00:22.706 --> 00:00:25.909
sent to mobile phones
in a certain area.

00:00:26.030 --> 00:00:30.197
Here to present the system
are Digital Transformation Minister

00:00:30.318 --> 00:00:34.597
Ksenija Klampfer and the Director-
General of the Administration

00:00:34.718 --> 00:00:38.134
for Civil Protection and Disaster
Relief Leon Behin.

00:00:38.255 --> 00:00:42.953
Hello. After months
of intense preparation,

00:00:43.087 --> 00:00:46.812
testing, and user coordination,

00:00:46.933 --> 00:00:50.569
Slovenia is finally setting
up a comprehensive system

00:00:50.666 --> 00:00:53.496
for public notifications
and warnings

00:00:53.617 --> 00:00:56.381
via public mobile networks.

00:00:56.503 --> 00:00:58.901
The system is called SI-ALARM

00:00:59.011 --> 00:01:02.846
and will operate under the auspices
of the Administration

00:01:02.998 --> 00:01:05.704
for Civil Protection
and Disaster Relief,

00:01:05.825 --> 00:01:08.498
which will be responsible
for managing it

00:01:08.619 --> 00:01:12.101
and for sending out
push definitions in emergencies.

00:01:12.217 --> 00:01:16.228
The system enables the immediate
and geographically targeted

00:01:16.349 --> 00:01:21.120
distribution of push notifications
via mobile networks,

00:01:21.236 --> 00:01:27.080
improving the level of readiness
and security in the country.

00:01:27.201 --> 00:01:30.948
SI-ALARM is an important milestone
in the strengthening

00:01:31.069 --> 00:01:33.672
or preparedness
for natural disasters

00:01:33.775 --> 00:01:38.196
such as earthquakes, floods, fires,
and exceptional circumstances,

00:01:38.336 --> 00:01:41.607
including industrial
and environmental incidents,

00:01:41.728 --> 00:01:46.201
as well as other crisis situations,
such as terrorist attacks.

00:01:46.335 --> 00:01:49.891
It's a modern tool
that substantially increases

00:01:50.007 --> 00:01:53.606
public safety and complements
existing mechanisms

00:01:53.734 --> 00:01:57.335
of public information, including
sirens, the media,

00:01:57.456 --> 00:02:02.807
and online notifications,
which will remain in use.

00:02:03.652 --> 00:02:08.863
The notification and alarm system
via public mobile phone networks

00:02:08.984 --> 00:02:14.523
will undergo its first public test
on September 27 at noon

00:02:14.694 --> 00:02:19.524
on a nationwide basis.

00:02:20.799 --> 00:02:24.508
That day, all users of mobile phones

00:02:24.648 --> 00:02:27.416
connected to Slovenian providers

00:02:27.532 --> 00:02:32.229
will receive
a test push notification.

00:02:32.350 --> 00:02:36.036
The message will appear
automatically on your device.

00:02:36.157 --> 00:02:40.129
It will be accompanied by
a loud audio signal, a beep,

00:02:40.250 --> 00:02:43.235
and vibration.
The message will be sent out

00:02:43.356 --> 00:02:47.575
by the Administration for Civil
Protection and Disaster Relief

00:02:47.696 --> 00:02:52.571
in Slovenian and English,
as well as Italian and Hungarian

00:02:52.692 --> 00:02:55.390
in national minority areas.

00:02:55.523 --> 00:02:58.002
Recipients don't need
to take action

00:02:58.123 --> 00:03:00.564
because this is only a test message.

00:03:00.685 --> 00:03:03.742
The text of the message will be:

00:03:03.863 --> 00:03:07.631
"This is a test message from
the Administration for Civil

00:03:07.752 --> 00:03:11.959
Protection and Disaster Relief.
In the future, you will receive

00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:17.071
similar phone notifications
about natural and other disasters.

00:03:17.186 --> 00:03:21.040
The state has set up this system
to improve the protection

00:03:21.192 --> 00:03:24.648
of people, animals, and property."

00:03:24.769 --> 00:03:27.296
End of message.

00:03:27.436 --> 00:03:31.110
The test will be carried out
nationwide.

00:03:31.249 --> 00:03:34.503
Its purpose is to check
the technical operation

00:03:34.655 --> 00:03:37.868
of the system in practice
and inform the public

00:03:37.989 --> 00:03:40.638
about how the warnings are sent out

00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:47.142
during natural disasters
or other major emergencies.

00:03:47.706 --> 00:03:51.170
The test push notification
will be received

00:03:51.291 --> 00:03:56.703
by Slovenian residents
as well as visitors from abroad.

00:03:56.839 --> 00:03:59.923
The goal is to ensure that
the system

00:04:00.063 --> 00:04:03.626
operates in a reliable
and functional manner.

00:04:03.749 --> 00:04:06.555
Notifications from SI-ALARM

00:04:06.677 --> 00:04:10.149
will be automatic
and free of charge for all users.

00:04:10.271 --> 00:04:15.185
There's no need to register,
download an app,

00:04:15.301 --> 00:04:18.173
or have internet access.

00:04:18.337 --> 00:04:23.130
SI-ALARM works on all mobile phones,
not just smart devices,

00:04:23.226 --> 00:04:26.328
but also on older models,
regardless of whether

00:04:26.449 --> 00:04:30.474
there's a phone contract
or a pre-paid account.

00:04:30.595 --> 00:04:33.794
The push notification warnings
aren't associated

00:04:33.915 --> 00:04:36.708
with phone numbers.
They'll be received

00:04:36.829 --> 00:04:40.474
by all users who happen to be
within an area defined

00:04:40.645 --> 00:04:43.444
by the system operator.

00:04:44.076 --> 00:04:47.598
To repeat, all persons
who'll be in Slovenia

00:04:47.719 --> 00:04:52.778
on September 27 and have
mobile devices

00:04:52.911 --> 00:04:55.905
connected to a mobile network

00:04:56.026 --> 00:04:59.244
of any mobile provider
in Slovenia

00:04:59.365 --> 00:05:03.109
will receive a test push
notification

00:05:03.225 --> 00:05:06.751
that will clearly state
that this is only a test.

00:05:06.870 --> 00:05:10.663
Please don't respond to the message.

00:05:11.022 --> 00:05:14.454
Because the alarm will be tested
for the first time

00:05:14.606 --> 00:05:20.187
on a nationwide level, it's vital
for the public to understand

00:05:20.313 --> 00:05:23.567
ahead of time what will happen
and why.

00:05:23.713 --> 00:05:28.073
The experience of other countries
shows us that such tests

00:05:28.194 --> 00:05:32.328
are delicate and can cause
confusion or even panic

00:05:32.449 --> 00:05:34.947
if people aren't properly informed.

00:05:35.069 --> 00:05:37.644
That's we will,
over the next month,

00:05:37.760 --> 00:05:41.002
launch a wide-ranging
information campaign

00:05:41.123 --> 00:05:44.763
to introduce the public
to how SI-ALARM works

00:05:44.891 --> 00:05:47.848
and the role it plays
in emergencies,

00:05:47.982 --> 00:05:51.923
as well as announce the date
of public tests

00:05:52.044 --> 00:05:55.619
and provide clear instructions
about how to respond

00:05:55.758 --> 00:05:58.267
when receiving
a notification.

00:05:58.413 --> 00:06:01.759
The campaign will prevent
false interpretations,

00:06:01.917 --> 00:06:06.377
reduce the number
of emergency calls,

00:06:06.506 --> 00:06:09.021
limit the spread
of disinformation,

00:06:09.131 --> 00:06:11.313
and enhance trust
in the state

00:06:11.434 --> 00:06:15.074
in the field of civil protection
and disaster response.

00:06:15.244 --> 00:06:18.261
This is not just about
sharing information;

00:06:18.400 --> 00:06:21.468
it's also a step toward raising
the awareness

00:06:21.589 --> 00:06:25.523
and readiness of the public
to deal with emergencies.

00:06:25.675 --> 00:06:29.700
We kindly ask everyone
to remain calm

00:06:29.805 --> 00:06:34.222
when receiving the push notification
that will be clearly labeled

00:06:34.343 --> 00:06:38.283
as a test. They should understand
that the message is a part

00:06:38.404 --> 00:06:40.472
of planned system-wide testing.

00:06:40.593 --> 00:06:45.335
This is only a test,
so we ask people

00:06:45.456 --> 00:06:51.025
not to burden emergency numbers,
civil protection call centers,

00:06:51.158 --> 00:06:53.568
or telephone providers.

00:06:53.999 --> 00:06:57.722
Further information about
the operations of the system,

00:06:57.856 --> 00:07:01.619
privacy, data protection,
and other matters

00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:07.374
can be found online on Gov.si,
SI-ALARM.

00:07:07.501 --> 00:07:10.464
With your patience
and cooperation,

00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:13.585
we'll help to raise
the level of preparedness

00:07:13.706 --> 00:07:17.063
and ensure greater security
for all residents.

00:07:17.332 --> 00:07:20.631
I'd like to thank Telekom,
other mobile providers,

00:07:20.752 --> 00:07:24.712
the Administration for Civil
Protection and Disaster Relief,

00:07:24.833 --> 00:07:27.433
and the Government
Communication Office

00:07:27.554 --> 00:07:30.711
for their cooperation in setting up
the system.

00:07:30.862 --> 00:07:35.134
We hope that the system
will not be used frequently,

00:07:35.255 --> 00:07:40.062
but when needed, it will
efficiently protect

00:07:40.177 --> 00:07:42.662
people, animals, and property.

00:07:42.783 --> 00:07:46.582
Thank you, Minister.
Mr. Behin, the floor is yours.

00:07:46.726 --> 00:07:50.091
Thank you and hello
on behalf of the Administration

00:07:50.225 --> 00:07:53.083
for Civil Protection
and Disaster Relief.

00:07:53.229 --> 00:07:57.114
I share the minister's
gratitude to all the partners

00:07:57.248 --> 00:08:01.513
in this project. We carried
out numerous important activities

00:08:01.683 --> 00:08:07.490
over the past year. They allow us
to conclude that the implementation

00:08:07.721 --> 00:08:10.248
of the system
is practically complete

00:08:10.387 --> 00:08:13.388
in all aspects crucial
for its functioning.

00:08:13.528 --> 00:08:17.570
This week and early next week,
the Administration for Civil

00:08:17.692 --> 00:08:22.237
Protection and Disaster Relief will
install the final tech equipment

00:08:22.365 --> 00:08:26.392
needed to carry out
the test notification

00:08:26.513 --> 00:08:31.320
with the crucial participation
of our employees.

00:08:31.458 --> 00:08:39.124
They are the people who
will conceive the push notifications

00:08:39.283 --> 00:08:41.883
and send them to mobile
operators,

00:08:42.029 --> 00:08:45.884
which will in turn distribute
them to the areas specified.

00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:53.516
Some interesting details
regarding the SI-ALARM system:

00:08:53.686 --> 00:08:57.910
The messages will be distributed
to precisely specified areas

00:08:58.031 --> 00:09:00.523
in precisely specified
circumstances.

00:09:00.644 --> 00:09:03.547
How do we define precisely
specified areas?

00:09:03.682 --> 00:09:07.373
The responsible person,
usually the head

00:09:07.524 --> 00:09:11.510
of the emergency response
or some other authorized person,

00:09:11.631 --> 00:09:16.397
regional commander, fire chief,
civil defense commander,

00:09:16.597 --> 00:09:20.462
a mayor, the president,
the government,

00:09:20.583 --> 00:09:24.571
or the Administration
for Civil Protection

00:09:24.717 --> 00:09:27.862
will define them in line
with his authority.

00:09:28.014 --> 00:09:32.677
This means that SI-ALARM
will contribute to and complement

00:09:32.798 --> 00:09:37.276
the existing public system,
which has consisted primarily

00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:42.167
of audio signals via alarm systems.

00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:47.374
We've lost sight of what is in
the notifications,

00:09:47.542 --> 00:09:51.917
namely how to respond
to a direct threat, if it exists,

00:09:52.045 --> 00:09:56.062
and what caused
the emergency.

00:09:59.005 --> 00:10:01.926
Each time the public system
is used via a siren,

00:10:02.009 --> 00:10:05.889
the SI-ALARM system will also
be triggered in that area,

00:10:05.972 --> 00:10:10.139
which will add significant
content and geographical value.

00:10:10.222 --> 00:10:13.120
To simplify
and give a practical example,

00:10:13.203 --> 00:10:17.159
in the event of a flood
and immediate danger,

00:10:17.243 --> 00:10:19.848
in addition to the siren
in a specific area,

00:10:19.931 --> 00:10:23.437
a SI-ALARM text message
will also be sent

00:10:23.843 --> 00:10:28.253
if evacuation is necessary
in the first, most demanding form,

00:10:28.336 --> 00:10:30.119
which can't be ruled out,

00:10:30.202 --> 00:10:34.575
with precise instructions on
where to evacuate, who to listen to,

00:10:34.658 --> 00:10:37.325
and whose instructions
to follow.

00:10:37.524 --> 00:10:39.630
This is very important

00:10:40.052 --> 00:10:45.969
because the existing public warning
system had a number of shortcomings.

00:10:46.371 --> 00:10:49.133
There were areas where
the sirens could not be heard,

00:10:49.216 --> 00:10:54.530
and not all people can hear,
or they hear less well.

00:10:55.096 --> 00:10:59.208
The SI-ALARM system
will also address these issues

00:10:59.292 --> 00:11:02.996
for groups
that can't hear or see,

00:11:03.310 --> 00:11:08.926
which means that the message
will be available in text form

00:11:09.010 --> 00:11:14.504
or, with the appropriate settings,
converted into a voice message,

00:11:14.588 --> 00:11:18.255
thus providing
all the necessary information.

00:11:18.910 --> 00:11:24.783
Notifications which will be received
by users of mobile phones, tablets

00:11:24.867 --> 00:11:29.124
and certain other media
included in this system

00:11:29.207 --> 00:11:33.118
will be designed
and classified into four levels.

00:11:33.201 --> 00:11:38.343
The first level being the level that
means the greatest immediate danger.

00:11:38.426 --> 00:11:41.539
For example,
if we are talking about floods,

00:11:41.622 --> 00:11:45.525
we already have flooding
in a certain area,

00:11:45.609 --> 00:11:47.976
and the individual
intervention leader ...

00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:51.542
Or an explosion, chemical
explosion, industrial accident,

00:11:51.625 --> 00:11:54.829
and the intervention leader
orders the territory,

00:11:54.912 --> 00:11:58.319
street, house,
city, municipality

00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:03.013
to which
a precise message is sent.

00:12:03.347 --> 00:12:07.997
'Evacuate, stay indoors,
close windows and doors'

00:12:08.081 --> 00:12:13.991
or anything else directly related
to the accident or danger.

00:12:14.513 --> 00:12:17.517
In the case of the second,
third and fourth levels,

00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:21.519
these messages
can be turned off,

00:12:22.141 --> 00:12:24.951
but the second level
in particular

00:12:25.035 --> 00:12:28.767
is still the one that indicates
immediate danger.

00:12:28.850 --> 00:12:30.450
For example,

00:12:30.594 --> 00:12:34.285
based on data
and hydrographic calculations,

00:12:34.369 --> 00:12:38.844
extensive flooding can be predicted
with a high degree of probability

00:12:38.927 --> 00:12:43.314
in a relatively short period of time
of ten minutes to half an hour,

00:12:43.397 --> 00:12:46.808
and in such a case,
that area will receive a message

00:12:46.891 --> 00:12:49.098
warning
of an immediate flood hazard.

00:12:49.181 --> 00:12:56.000
'You should move to higher ground
and take appropriate action.'

00:12:56.825 --> 00:12:58.425
This system,

00:12:58.509 --> 00:13:02.800
in addition to notifications
about immediate danger,

00:13:03.181 --> 00:13:06.664
provides a great deal of assistance
in searching for missing persons,

00:13:06.747 --> 00:13:12.381
which means that a specific area
can be very accurately defined,

00:13:12.465 --> 00:13:14.201
the population can be notified

00:13:14.284 --> 00:13:16.738
that a missing person
is being searched for,

00:13:16.821 --> 00:13:20.095
and in this way,
assistance can also be provided.

00:13:20.178 --> 00:13:23.226
As has already
been pointed out today,

00:13:23.309 --> 00:13:28.533
the experience of foreign countries
that have been using

00:13:28.617 --> 00:13:34.101
a cell broadcasting system for
push notifications for a long time,

00:13:34.508 --> 00:13:37.284
clearly shows
that the number of messages

00:13:37.367 --> 00:13:41.542
received by people in a given area
must be minimal,

00:13:41.626 --> 00:13:45.239
because otherwise
they are no longer receptive

00:13:45.322 --> 00:13:49.265
to the seriousness of the messages
and ignore them,

00:13:49.348 --> 00:13:53.470
which is why there are
so few first-level messages

00:13:53.554 --> 00:13:56.142
in case of immediate threats,

00:13:56.226 --> 00:14:00.893
that most citizens don't
even get this message in a year.

00:14:01.232 --> 00:14:07.413
The fact is that we must be very
careful when sending these messages,

00:14:07.497 --> 00:14:11.969
because we must be aware
that they're coming 24/7,

00:14:12.132 --> 00:14:14.233
that they are loud messages,

00:14:14.316 --> 00:14:20.323
and represent stress
for everyone who receives them.

00:14:21.098 --> 00:14:26.514
In conclusion,
every testing period

00:14:26.598 --> 00:14:32.607
and subsequent implementation
has certain problems

00:14:33.001 --> 00:14:35.286
that need to be resolved
in the meantime,

00:14:35.369 --> 00:14:38.468
and our system will also
have them in the future.

00:14:38.551 --> 00:14:40.895
It is crucial to understand

00:14:40.979 --> 00:14:43.790
that we are building
an effective system

00:14:43.873 --> 00:14:47.258
with the basic purpose
of effective communication

00:14:47.341 --> 00:14:50.174
and alerting people,
thus SI-ALARM,

00:14:50.370 --> 00:14:52.424
and that it is
a mandatory task

00:14:52.507 --> 00:14:55.966
in protecting
people's lives and property.

00:14:57.070 --> 00:15:01.889
Thank you. Time for your questions.
STA, go ahead.

00:15:01.973 --> 00:15:03.801
Manja Delašjava, STA.

00:15:03.885 --> 00:15:06.784
Given that we are at the end
of a heatwave,

00:15:06.867 --> 00:15:10.327
how busy were the aerial
firefighting units this year?

00:15:10.410 --> 00:15:14.802
Given that fortunately there were
no major fires in Slovenia,

00:15:14.885 --> 00:15:18.117
was it possible to offer
assistance to other countries

00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:21.784
within the framework
of European mechanisms?

00:15:22.685 --> 00:15:27.530
Go ahead if you know the answer.
-Thank you for your question.

00:15:27.613 --> 00:15:30.314
Fortunately, the unit
for extinguishing fires

00:15:30.397 --> 00:15:33.096
in natural environment
using Air Tractors

00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:36.997
was not extremely busy this year,
if I may say so,

00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:40.891
with extinguishing fires
in the Republic of Slovenia.

00:15:40.974 --> 00:15:45.141
In most cases, we intervened
in the early stages of fires

00:15:45.224 --> 00:15:48.797
in western Slovenia.
Unlike in previous years,

00:15:48.880 --> 00:15:52.080
the largest fires were
in central Slovenia,

00:15:52.163 --> 00:15:55.736
around Ljubljana,
Mežica, and other areas,

00:15:55.820 --> 00:16:00.339
so we were working
with the Slovenian army and police,

00:16:00.429 --> 00:16:03.939
because an effective combination
of planes and helicopters

00:16:04.022 --> 00:16:06.525
enables
the most effective firefighting

00:16:06.608 --> 00:16:10.967
with excellent support
and coordination with firefighters

00:16:11.050 --> 00:16:12.650
in such cases.

00:16:12.909 --> 00:16:17.912
We were able to spend most
of this year training our pilots,

00:16:17.996 --> 00:16:20.842
so that they could acquire
the necessary knowledge.

00:16:20.925 --> 00:16:24.606
Three pilots
will be able to obtain

00:16:25.069 --> 00:16:30.913
their independent firefighting
licenses ahead of schedule,

00:16:30.997 --> 00:16:35.292
because this year, foreign pilots
helped us with firefighting,

00:16:35.375 --> 00:16:38.982
as planned,
and will continue to do so.

00:16:39.684 --> 00:16:44.301
We are currently unable
to operate abroad with Air Tractors,

00:16:44.384 --> 00:16:49.634
our aircraft aren't included
in the so-called rescEU capacities.

00:16:49.914 --> 00:16:51.664
The reason is simple.

00:16:51.961 --> 00:16:53.865
We are very honoured
that people think

00:16:53.948 --> 00:16:56.903
we can go
on multi-day missions abroad,

00:16:56.986 --> 00:16:59.609
but this unit
was established a year ago,

00:16:59.692 --> 00:17:03.556
it is still being completed in terms
of personnel and technical equipment.

00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:07.056
Abroad, we must ensure the complete
independence of the unit,

00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:10.712
from coordinators, servicemen,
spare parts, to operations.

00:17:10.795 --> 00:17:14.984
Each aircraft requires between eight
and ten people to take care of it,

00:17:15.067 --> 00:17:18.011
and they all
have to go abroad.

00:17:18.532 --> 00:17:20.473
We are in talks

00:17:20.557 --> 00:17:23.371
with the Republic of Croatia
and the Republic of Italy

00:17:23.454 --> 00:17:26.819
to fly Slovenian
aircraft next year

00:17:26.903 --> 00:17:32.107
on the basis of bilateral
agreements, if they express a need,

00:17:32.191 --> 00:17:37.538
to border areas in Italy,
Istria, and so on,

00:17:37.622 --> 00:17:40.359
so that we can help them.

00:17:40.612 --> 00:17:46.569
Aircraft assistance abroad
is planned for the end of 2026,

00:17:46.653 --> 00:17:48.803
and definitely for 2027.

00:17:50.206 --> 00:17:53.525
Any other questions?
There are no more questions.

00:17:53.608 --> 00:17:57.031
Thank you both for being with us
and goodbye.

00:17:57.114 --> 00:17:58.342
Thank you.