Federal Office for Civil Protection

The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP)^[a] is the federal office responsible for the civil defense services of the Swiss cantons and municipalities. It is subordinated to the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.

Federal Office for Civil Protection

(in German) Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz (in French) Office fédéral de la protection de la population (in Italian) Ufficio federale della sicurezza alimentare e di veterinaria
Agency overview
Jurisdiction	Federal administration of Switzerland
Headquarters	Bern
Employees	324
Minister responsible	Viola Amherd, Federal Councillor
Parent agency	Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport
Website	babs.admin.ch

Tasks

The role of the Federal Office for Civil Protection is to ensure the co-ordination of leadership, protection, rescue and assistance in co-operation with the five pillars of civil protection, i.e. the police, the fire brigade, civil protection, technical services (water, electricity, communication) and public health services in the event of a disaster, emergency or armed conflict.^[1]

The FOCP consists of six business units,^[2] including:

• Spiez Laboratory (the national institute for protection against atomic, biological and chemical threats and risks)
• National Emergency Operations Centre: responsible for warning the population in the event of an emergency

Notes

1. German: Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz, BABS, French: Office fédéral de la protection de la population, OFPP, Italian: Ufficio federale della protezione della popolazione, UFPP