War in Ukraine: Current information on civil protection

Due to the war in Ukraine, the Federal Office of Civil Protection (FOCP) as well as the cantonal and municipal authorities are faced with numerous enquiries from citizens. Current information about civil protection can be found on this page.

Further informations

Civil protection at the federal level

The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) supports the cantons and municipalities as well as the part-ner organisations in their civil protection activities. It includes the following branches: Civil Protection Policy, Spiez Laboratory, National Emergency Operations Centre, Training, Infrastructure and Resources.

Further informations

The civil protection system

Civil protection is an integrated management, protection, rescue and relief system. The partner organisations – police, fire services, health services, technical services and the CPO (an additional civil protection organisation) – are in charge of their own specific tasks, and provide mutual support. Joint management ensures coordinated planning and preparation, and operational command in case of deployment.

Further informations

Alerting the public

Disasters can occur at very short notice and sometimes without any advance warning. This is why it is so important to ensure a fast flow of information and to alert the public in time. The FOCP will continue to develop the system over the coming years: in addition to the existing alarm with sirens new media are to be used for communicating incidents such as cell phone and Internet.

Further informations

Protection of Cultural Property

Protection of Cultural Property

Secure and respect – these two main requirements must be met to protect cultural property according to the 1954 Hague Convention.

Critical infrastructure protection

Critical infrastructure protection

Switzerland is highly dependent on the continuous operation of critical infrastructure that ensures the supply of vital goods and services.

Dangers and risks

Dangers and risks

Appraisal of dangers and risks provide the basis for precautionary and contingency planning aimed at managing disasters and emergencies.

NBC Protection

NBC Protection

NBC protection covers all measures to defend against and prevent nuclear (N), biological (B) and chemical (C) threats and dangers.