The most serious risks analyzed

The efficient and risk-based prevention and management of disasters and emergencies is of great importance for the Canton of Zurich and its population. Therefore, the professional civil protection, consisting of various organizations such as police, fire department, rescue services, hospitals, technical operations and civil defense, should be well prepared for such tasks. To this end, the civil protection concepts must be constantly reviewed and adapted to the identified risks.

First comprehensive risk analysis

Now, for the first time, a comprehensive risk-based analysis of such disasters and emergencies relevant for the canton of Zurich. The heads of the Civil Protection Office and the chairman of the Association of Municipal Presidents had the Civil Protection Department of the Zurich Cantonal Police analyze eleven hazards for the canton, the occurrence of which is expected to cause very great damage and a so-called extraordinary situation (according to §2 and §10 of the Cantonal Civil Protection Act).

In addition, a risk management process has been developed to continuously assess the risks and necessary adaptation measures in civil protection. The known risks as well as any new potential risks are assessed every five years at the level of the civil protection office heads (strategic precautions) and every year at the level of the services and operations (operational precautions). The Zurich Cantonal Police leads this process.

The assessments were developed in a working group with, among others, the offices of civil protection: Cantonal Police, Office for Military and Civil Defense (AMZ), Cantonal Medical Service (KAD), Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air (AWEL) and Cantonal Fire Department (GVZ). In addition, the Association of Municipal Presidents and the cities of Zurich and Winterthur were represented in the working group. Experts from other offices were consulted for technical questions.

Media Release Security Directorate of the Canton of Zurich