New civil protection skills profile adopted

Representatives of the cantons and the Federal Office for Civil Protection took part in the spring meeting of the Conference of Heads of Office (KdA). The event in Basel provided a platform for intensive professional exchange and joint discussion of strategic topics in civil protection.

One topic of the two-day conference was the lessons that can be learned from the war in Ukraine for strengthening civil protection in Switzerland. Among other things, the participants were able to discuss the analysis of civil protection capabilities in the event of an armed conflict, the funding of civil protection and the modernization of protective structures.

New capability profile for crisis situations

A particular milestone was the formal adoption of the new civil protection capability profile - formerly known as the "performance profile" - following good cooperation with the cantons. The new profile defines which capabilities are to be provided throughout Switzerland in crisis situations, differentiating between basic capabilities, which must be available nationwide, and extended capabilities, which are deployed specifically where they are particularly needed. It is intended to ensure that civil protection personnel are able to protect the population in crisis situations and serves as a basis for the planning and implementation of operations in the event of disasters and emergencies.

Spontaneous helpers: Potentials and challenges

How can spontaneous helpers be meaningfully involved in the event of an incident? This question was one of the main topics of the conference, with keynote speeches from the Swiss Red Cross and the Canton of Ticino as well as a workshop. Volunteers represent the resilience of civil society. In the current security environment, their contribution is all the more valuable. Their efforts should be encouraged and complement institutional arrangements, while at the same time being properly coordinated, for example to prevent volunteers from coming into danger.

Digitalization of civil protection - DIZIS project

The DIZIS project for the digitalization of civil defence was presented on the basis of specific implementation steps. Among other things, the participants addressed questions regarding the prioritization of the two planned phases: electronic duty management (electronic successor to the duty booklet; phase 1) and the digital processing of call-ups and duty postponements (phase 2). The cantonal representatives welcomed the project and pledged their support, but at the same time pointed out that viable financing solutions still needed to be found.

Reorientation of disaster medicine: KATAMED

The participants were also informed about the report of the National Network for Disaster Medicine (KATAMED), a project as part of the reorganization of the Coordinated Medical Service, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The vision "Together. Stronger. Help." focuses on strengthening joint capabilities in extraordinary situations.

Source: babs.admin.ch