Alarms and sirens

Alarm systems

Around 7750 sirens throughout Switzerland

The mission of the coordinated system is to protect the population and its basis of existence, both in the event of disaster and emergency situation and in the event of armed conflict. Concretely, this involves ensuring control, protection, rescue and assistance in order to control such events and limit their consequences.

Centralized triggering of sirens by remote control

Since 1984, around 2,500 fixed sirens have been connected to remote control installations throughout Switzerland based on the SF 457 system. This system allows rapid and targeted alarming. A new generation of remote controls, the SFI 457, will be installed little by little. The proven principle of the old SF 457 remote control has been retained in the modernized version to which decisive improvements have however been made. Now, among other things, we have the possibility of setting up control stations from which it is possible to trigger the sirens of an entire region or canton, for example during large-scale disasters.

Sirens test

Sirens test: the first Wednesday in February

Every year, on the first Wednesday of February, sirens are tested throughout Switzerland to check that they are working properly. The test will concern not only the general alarm sirens but also those of the water alarm. The population is informed in advance by radio, by spots broadcast on television (see below) and by press releases. There is no need to take special protective measures. The Federal Office for Population Protection, which is responsible for organizing this test, thanks the population for their understanding.

Two alarm signals

The general alarm signal, a continuous oscillating sound which lasts one minute, will be broadcast at 1:30 p.m. throughout Switzerland. If necessary, sirens can be tested until 2 p.m. The water alarm will be tested between 2:15 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the risk areas located below the dams. It consists of twelve low sounds of 20 seconds each, separated by intervals of ten seconds. The proper functioning of 7750 sirens will be tested on this occasion.

Information in the telephone directory

Any general alarm signal that sounds at any other time means that the population could be threatened. In this case, everyone is invited to listen to the radio, follow the instructions of the authorities and inform their neighbors. The water alarm only sounds after the general alarm signal and means that the population must immediately leave the dangerous area. Further information on the alarm and the behavioral instructions to be observed appear in the telephone directory, on the last pages of each volume, in the form of a reminder entitled “Alarm transmitted to the population”.

Download:

TV spot 1 (WindowsMedia Audio/Video: 954 KB – MOV-Datei: 788 KB)

TV spot 2 (WindowsMedia Audio/Video: 1.08 MB – MOV-Datei: 911 KB)

TV spot 3 (WindowsMedia Audio/Video: 972 KB – MOV-Datei: 800 KB)

Listen to the radio, follow the instructions of the authorities and inform your neighbors.

General alarm

Water alarm