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Alerting the population in the event of a disaster
Disasters can happen with little or no warning; it is therefore all the more important for information to flow quickly so as to alert the population in good time.Switzerland currently has around 7500 (stationary and mobile) civil defence sirens distributed throughout the country that can reach over 99 per cent of the population. Sirens are increasingly activated by remote control. An additional 750 water alert sirens are located near dams.
The annual siren test takes place in Switzerland on the first Wednesday of February. It is organised by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) in cooperation with the cantons, communes and dam operators. At this time, not only general alert sirens but also water alert sirens are tested to see if they are in working order. People are given advance notice about the siren test on television broadcasts as well as in the newspapers. The siren tests do not require the population to take any special measures.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) coordinates activities during a state of emergency (e.g. in the event of increased radioactivity, chemical accidents, dam breaks, satellite crashes, natural disasters etc.). MeteoSwiss becomes involved in the event of dangerous weather developments, and the Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in the event of avalanche danger. In principle, every competent authority is able and has the authority to sound their sirens when they deem it to be necessary. The NEOC also takes on the role of a national reporting and assessment centre for all Natural hazards and technical incidents.
A description of the two alarm signals is provided on the last page of all phone books as well as on the Internet.
- The general alert is sounded when there is a possible threat to the population. Sirens for this alert have a regularly ascending and descending tone lasting a minute and repeated after a two-minute interval. If you hear this alarm signal, you should turn on the radio (DRS or a local radio station), follow instructions from the authorities and alert your neighbours.
- A flood alert has twelve low continuous tones each lasting 20 seconds. It is activated once the general alert is already sounding. This alarm signal indicates you need to leave the area at risk immediately.
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