Confidence in the Swiss emergency response system is declining slightly
The TCS Emergency Barometer reveals a sense of unease among the public when it comes to emergency situations. This is evidenced by a loss of trust in emergency response organizations and a more negative assessment of emergency care in mountainous areas. Respondents also feel less confident in their ability to respond appropriately to medical emergencies. However, there is widespread interest in receiving relevant training.
Anyone who finds themselves in an emergency situation needs prompt assistance from professional emergency response organizations. Now, the latest TCS Emergency Barometer shows that public confidence in the emergency organizations surveyed is declining slightly. While basic trust in organizations such as medical services, mountain and air rescue, and the police remains high, the figures are consistently lower than last year. The surveys for the Emergency Barometer were conducted by the polling firm gfs.bern on behalf of the TCS between mid-February and the end of March. The results may therefore have been influenced by the devastating fires in Crans-Montana and Kerzers, which have undermined the public’s sense of security.
This also shows that the quality of emergency care is assessed differently across Switzerland. In urban areas, emergency care is rated as good by virtually all respondents (96 percent), with little variation. In mountainous regions, however, this figure dropped sharply from 74 to 62 percent, and there was also a significant decline in the «remote regions» category.
People tend to rate their own abilities more harshly
However, it was not only the survey participants’ confidence in emergency response organizations that declined, but also their confidence in themselves. Respondents rated their own emergency preparedness significantly lower than they did in the 2025 Emergency Barometer. On a scale of 0 to 10, regarding the ability to recognize and respond correctly in an emergency, the average score was 5.6—down from 6.3 the previous year. The general public is rated even lower than their own competence, at a score of 4.7. People also have less confidence in their ability to handle specific medical emergency situations. Only 71 percent now feel confident in placing an unconscious person in the recovery position—10 percent fewer than in the last Emergency Barometer.
High Level of Interest in Organized Continuing Education
On the other hand, the willingness to improve one’s own skills is encouraging. 81 percent said they would welcome regular first-aid training. A large majority of respondents would like such training to be provided through associations or organizations (Samariter, Red Cross, TCS), although many—particularly TCS members—also mentioned their employers. There is clear opposition to the idea that first-aid training should be left entirely up to the individual.
Source: TCS
