MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French
Federal Office for Civil Protection
Bern, 26.09.2024 – On 24 and 25 September 2024, the heads of the cantonal services responsible for civil protection and civil protection met at the Federal Training Centre in Schwarzenburg for an exchange with the Federal Office for Civil Protection. The agenda included topics such as the redefinition of the civil protection service and capacity profile, the new orientation of the Coordinated Health Service and the revision of the national risk analysis “Disasters and Emergencies in Switzerland”.
On 24 and 25 September 2024, representatives of the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) and the heads of the cantonal civil protection and civil protection services met at the Federal Training Centre Schwarzenburg (CFIS) for their biannual conference. Led by Michaela Schärer, Director of the FOCP, the conference enabled participants to address current issues in civil protection and develop strategies for its future.
Redefinition of the profile of services and capacities of civil protection
The adaptation of the civil protection performance and capacity profile to current challenges was discussed in a workshop. In the past, the focus has been more on natural disaster and emergency management. While examining the capacities required in this context, emphasis was placed on the need to identify and strengthen preparedness for armed conflicts, taking into account the changing global security situation. The following questions were addressed: What basic capacities must be available everywhere? What extended capacities are only needed at regional level in accordance with cantonal hazard analyses? Should opportunities be created to ensure capacities by networking several municipalities? How do capacities influence staffing levels? These are important elements for ensuring civil protection that is geared to future goals and challenges.
New direction of the Coordinated Health Service
Since its attachment to the OFPP on 1 January 2023, the Coordinated Health Service (SSC) has taken a new direction. The OFPP took stock of various ongoing projects. Some questions relating to management structures and protected sanitary constructions were also addressed with a view to developing the “New orientation of the SSC” strategy. The need to set up intercantonal structures and cooperation was generally recognised.
Revision of the national CaSUS risk analysis
With the national risk analysis “Disasters and Emergencies in Switzerland” (CaSUS), the FOCP is laying the foundations for in-depth analyses, strategic developments, preventive planning, exercises and event preparedness within the framework of disaster management. The results of the current analysis cycle will be available at the end of 2025. The subsequent update of the KATAPLAN guide, an important reference document for carrying out hazard analyses at cantonal level, was approved and supported by the heads of department.
In addition to discussing the topics mentioned and passing on current information from the OFPP to the cantonal services, the aim of this two-day conference was to further strengthen exchanges and collaboration between the federal office and the cantons.
Address for sending questions
Dennis RhielCommunication OFPP 41 58 462 69 32media@babs.admin.ch
Author
Federal Office for Civil Protectionhttp://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.