In the future, residents of Switzerland will be sent official text alerts in the event of an emergency, according to plans announced by the government. The Federal Council also confirmed that it would be upgrading the country’s AlertSwiss app, to make sure the public is informed about any impending danger.
In a statement, the Federal Council confirmed that it would modernise how people in Switzerland are informed about impending danger or threats. The crux of their plan is to create a new system of alerts that can be sent directly to mobile phones.
Through the system, anyone connected to the Swiss cell network can be sent text alerts of up to 500 characters by the Federal Office for Civil Protection. These will be used to inform of impending disasters, from severe weather and industrial accidents right up to war and impending attack. These measures should be fully in place by 2035.
At the same time, the government will also be upgrading the AlertSwiss mobile app. Already downloaded 2,2 million times, the system in its current form is able to issue warnings and alerts based on the user's location.
Specifically, the government will develop the app so that it can be more easily accessed, and used without connection to the internet, among other key upgrades. In all, the Federal Council expects to spend 213 million Swiss francs on the alarm system between 2027 and 2035.
The Federal Council also assured that the changes would not lead to the end of the Swiss alarm and siren network, which they argued is still a pivotal part of the alert system. With internet and phone signals not known to be reliable in times of conflict, the siren network remains a reliable blaring reminder of impending danger.
However, some cuts will be made to the system, with the Federal Council expected to phase out the ultra-short wave emergency radios used in Swiss nuclear bunkers over cost concerns. In justifying the move, the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs argued that even during times of war, short stays in bomb shelters are more likely than having to live underground for weeks and months.
Another question also surrounds radio, with the Swiss government suggesting that FM wave alerts will be scrapped. Speaking back in July, FOCP director Michaela Schärer argued that "if the entire population no longer listens to FM, there is no point in maintaining FM" - according to the national broadcaster SRG SSR, less than 10 percent of their radio audience uses FM. The installation of a DAB+ alert system is also unlikely, with authorities considering the idea too expensive.
The desire to upgrade the Swiss alert system comes as countries across Europe reactivate their bunker and emergency alert systems. For instance, sparked by the ongoing war in Ukraine, the German government recently announced plans to reintroduce public bunkers and a shelter location app similar to AlertSwiss.