Civil protection (CP) is facing problems of understaffing. While the national target was set ten years ago at 72,000 members, there were only 60,000 at the beginning of 2024, including 2,600 in staff. Insufficient for Bern. As a result, the Federal Council wants to increase staff numbers by extending the obligation to serve. Its project received the approval of the Council of States on Tuesday.
In concrete terms, the project provides that persons liable to military service who have not completed recruit school before their 25th year and who are released from their military obligations will now be liable to PC. In addition, former military personnel who have become unfit for service and who have at least 80 days of service remaining may also be required to perform PC. Finally, persons liable to civil service will have to complete, if necessary, part of their obligation to serve in the PC of a canton that is understaffed.
The senators, led by the right, followed the federal project in every way. “It is a question of taking into account a new situation: we must face increased risks in terms of the environment and natural disasters. However, today, we see that the authorities need the CP to face these risks. We therefore need reinforced civil protection,” estimated Charles Juillard (C/JU).
A left-wing minority believed that a commitment to civil protection should continue to be based on a voluntary basis. Civil protection should not be strengthened to the detriment of civil service, argued Franziska Roth (PS/SO) in vain.
The National has yet to decide.
