Published on 18 July 2025

Multi-channel strategy for public information, warning and alerting

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.

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.

Focus on digital channels

The introduction of cell broadcast technology is expected to significantly improve the way in which the population is warned and alerted. Cell broadcast makes it possible to send short text messages directly to all mobile phones in a defined area. The Alertswiss app and website will also be continually developed. Key areas of focus include improving accessibility and ensuring that essential information remains available on smartphones even when there is no mobile network coverage.

All alerts will be issued in standardised, machine-readable formats to enable third-party providers to integrate them into their own systems (e.g. vehicle operating systems). By expanding digital alert and information channels, the Federal Council is responding to technological developments and the widespread use of smartphones in everyday life.

Sirens, radio and emergency meeting points as important backup channels

Sirens, which are highly reliable and are installed across the cantons, will continue to be a key part of the future mix of alert channels. As with the sirens, mandatory radio announcements will also continue. These are particularly important in situations when mobile networks are unavailable or in the event of a power outage. The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG) is integrated into the FOCP’s backup systems. Since 2023, the FOCP has also been operating a system to transmit reports to private radio broadcasters. Emergency meeting points, which have now been introduced in most cantons, are another instrument that can be used to provide local information to the population in the event of a disaster.

Renewal or Replacement of the Emergency Radio

Various components of the emergency radio are reaching the end of their service life. The cantons, as the primary bodies responsible for civil protection, as well as numerous other consultation participants, have clearly spoken out in favor of retaining the emergency radio during the consultation on the Multi-Channel Strategy 2025/26. The DDPS is currently investigating possible solutions.

Additional funding required for 2027–2035

To maintain and further develop the systems for informing, warning, and alerting the public—namely the core system, the remote siren triggering system, and cell broadcast—as well as to further develop the Alertswiss app and website, the federal government estimates investment and operating costs of 262.3 million Swiss francs through 2035, of which 183.4 million Swiss francs are new funds required. The Federal Council is requesting a commitment credit from Parliament for these funds. This does not yet include the funds required for the continued operation and replacement of the emergency radio system. The DDPS is currently exploring possible solutions to ensure that an emergency radio system can continue to be operated in the future.

Continuous Improvement in Line with Strategic Priorities

Even though key elements of the multichannel strategy depend on legislative changes and additional funding, the FOCP is continuously improving its information, warning, and alerting systems in line with the priorities set out in the strategy. Significant implementation steps have already been taken with regard to the following strategic priorities.

Multi-channel strategy FAQs

• What is the goal of the multi-channel strategy?

  The multichannel strategy is designed to ensure that the public is informed, warned, and alerted quickly and reliably through multiple channels in crisis situations. To this end, existing systems are being modernized and new technologies introduced.

• What legislative changes are planned?

  The Federal Council has submitted amendments to the Civil Protection Act for public consultation. These amendments concern:

  • Introduction of cell broadcast
  • Transfer of responsibility for sirens to the cantons

• Why is cell broadcast being introduced?

  Because it:

  • can send alerts very quickly and with local precision
  • works independently of apps
  • is already being used successfully in several neighboring countries
  • is more reliable than SMS, even when the network is overloaded

• What will happen to the Alertswiss app and website?

  Alertswiss will continue to be developed, specifically: No legislative changes are required for these updates.

  • Improved accessibility
  • Content available even without network coverage

  No legislative changes are required for these updates.

• Who will be responsible for the sirens in the future?

  Going forward, the cantons will be fully responsible for the maintenance, operation, and lifecycle management of the sirens. The federal government will continue to provide a standardized, secure remote-triggering system.

• Why are the sirens being managed at the cantonal level again?

  Because it has become clear that centralizing this function at the federal level is not efficient. Sirens must be planned, maintained, and operated locally – something cantonal authorities are better equipped to handle.

• How much will it cost to implement the multi-channel strategy?

  To maintain and further develop the systems for informing, warning, and alerting the public – namely the core system, the remote siren triggering system, and cell broadcast – as well as to further develop the Alertswiss app and website, the federal government estimates investment and operating costs of 262.3 million Swiss francs through 2035, of which 183.4 million Swiss francs are new funds required. The Federal Council is requesting a commitment credit from Parliament for these costs. This figure does not yet include funds for the continued operation and replacement of the emergency radio system. The DDPS is currently exploring possible solutions to ensure the continued operation of an emergency radio system in the future.

• Why is modernization necessary?

  Current conflicts – such as the one in Ukraine – show that rapid, local alerts are crucial. Switzerland wants to ensure that warnings continue to function even if individual systems fail.

• When will the changes take effect?

  After the Federal Council takes note of the results of the public consultation in June 2026 and specifies the next steps, the following will take place:

  • Drafting of the message (2026)
  • Parliamentary deliberation
  • Decision-making
  • Technical implementation

  The exact timing depends on the legislative process.

Further Information

• Documents

  • Multikanalstrategie für die Alarmierung und Ereignisinformation - Ausblick 2035, 15. März 2025

    PDF293.71 kB15 March 2025

• Press releases

  • 15.10.2025 - Bundesrat modernisiert Alarmierung der Bevölkerung – Vernehmlassung der Multikanalstrategie (de, fr, it)
  • 27.11.2024 - The future of alerting: Switzerland to focus on multi-channel strategy (de, fr, it)
  • 11.07.2024 - Alerting the population: Federal Council to expand digital channels (de, fr, it)