SVU 14: Now the recommendations are available
Flu, pandemic and power shortage: The partners in the Swiss Security Network had to efficiently master a complex emergency situation. Based on the findings from last November's exercise, 16 recommendations were formulated to improve cooperation between the Confederation, the cantons and the other partners in crisis situations. The Confederation and the cantons also decided to continue the Swiss Security Network.
The new system presented this week in Interlaken Final Report contains the most important findings and recommendations from the Security Network Exercise 2014 (SVU 14), which was conducted last November based on the scenario "Pandemic and Power Shortage Situation". The aim of this exercise was to test the coordination capability and the means available to the Swiss Security Network (SVS) to cope with a complex national crisis situation.
At the conference of the Swiss Security Network, Toni Frisch, project and exercise manager of SVU 14, presented the findings from the exercise and the resulting recommendations for the partners of the Swiss Security Network. In panel discussions and speeches, representatives from the federal government, cantons, municipalities, the private sector and politics commented on the findings and expressed their opinions on the consequences and on the future of national security network exercises. The votes showed the importance of such exercises. For such exercises to bring real added value, the lessons learned and the measures adopted must be addressed and implemented. An exercise but also training culture should definitely be established.
In general, the final report states that the federal agencies, cantons and other partners involved are able to deploy the resources necessary to manage a crisis in a coordinated manner. The considerations made in the context of SVU 14 also allow the identification of other areas that require intervention in the event of a crisis, as well as the measures to be taken to improve the effectiveness of the response capability. The report concludes with 16 recommendations regarding continuing education and training for SVS partners, which should serve to ensure the effectiveness of the collaboration deemed "essential" in the event of an emergency.
Furthermore, the Federal Council and the cantons have decided to continue the structures of the Swiss Security Network after the conclusion of the pilot phase as of the end of 2015. After an in-depth evaluation process, they have come to the conclusion that the SVS is a suitable instrument that enables the Confederation and the cantons to engage in dialogue and coordination in order to address the major challenges in the area of security and to develop solutions while taking federal structures into account.
The Swiss Security Network is limited in time as a pilot project until the end of 2015. The cantons have already decided to continue the SVS at the plenary meeting of the Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors (KKJPD) and the Intergovernmental Conference on Military, Civil Defense and Fire Services (RK MZF) in April 2015. The Federal Council has also recently decided to continue the SVS Switzerland.
It is now also important to implement the specific recommendations from the final report of SVU 14 so that Switzerland is even better prepared for a possible event of national proportions.
(Press release Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport)
