Alerting and informing

Sirens and Alertswiss notifications are the most important channels for alerting the public in the event of danger.

The Alertswiss website and app provide all the key information needed in the event of an incident in Switzerland, offering a central platform that can help protect people and save lives.

Urgent warnings and all public alerts, including safety instructions, are broadcast over the radio as mandatory messages.

One input, many output channels: The Polyalert system quickly and consistently informs, warns and alerts the population through the most suitable channels for the situation.

In light of growing challenges such as extreme weather events and other hazardous situations, Switzerland continues to rely on a diverse, multi-channel strategy to alert the population. To this end, the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) has developed a strategy to modernise the alerting and information systems over the next ten years. The siren network will remain in place while the use of mobile phone alerts (via cell broadcast) and digital channels will be expanded.

Switzerland has a nationwide siren network designed to alert people in danger. Flood alarms are used in areas downstream of dams and mean you should leave the danger zone immediately. In all other cases, the general alarm is triggered.

Every year, on the first Wednesday in February, Switzerland conducts a nationwide siren test. This checks the readiness not only of the general alarm sirens, but also of the flood alarm system. People are informed in advance via radio and TV announcements and press releases. The public is not required to take any action or protective measures and is kindly asked to excuse any inconvenience caused by the siren test.