Short answer. In Switzerland, 112 is the international emergency number. The country also uses 117 for the police, 118 for the fire brigade, 144 for an ambulance or medical emergency, and 145 for Tox Info Suisse in case of poisoning 1. These numbers appear in the official Alertswiss emergency plan 1.
Which number should I call?
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | International emergency number |
| 117 | Police |
| 118 | Fire brigade |
| 144 | Ambulance / medical emergency |
| 145 | Tox Info Suisse (poisoning) |
All five numbers are listed in the Alertswiss emergency plan 1. Write them on your household plan and keep them near your phone and in your emergency supply. Our guide on the family emergency plan explains how to organise contacts and meeting points.
Which agencies handle emergencies and preparedness?
Several federal bodies share the work, with cantons and communes in charge locally 12:
- Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP; German BABS, French OFPP): alerting by sirens and Alertswiss, and shelters. www.babs.admin.ch 2
- Alertswiss: the national alert and preparedness channel run by the FOCP. www.alert.swiss 1
- Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES; German BWL): household emergency supplies. www.bwl.admin.ch 3
- Armed Forces Pharmacy / Jodtabletten Schweiz: distribution of iodine tablets. www.jodtabletten.ch 4
- Cantonal and communal civil-protection offices: shelter assignment and local information 2
Who do I ask about my shelter?
The civil-protection office of your commune or canton 2. Shelter assignments are published only when the security situation requires it; until then, the local office is the point of contact. See public shelters.
Where do official instructions come from during a crisis?
When the sirens sound, the official advice is to listen to the radio and check Alertswiss. See the alerts page for the signals and the channels used.
What should I keep with my emergency numbers?
The Alertswiss emergency plan groups emergency numbers with personal contacts and meeting points, supplies, a first-aid kit and an evacuation bag 1. Filling in that plan keeps everything in one place. For supplies, see the Swiss emergency supplies and official kit list pages.
Frequently asked questions
Does 112 work in Switzerland?
Yes. 112 is the international emergency number and works in Switzerland alongside 117, 118 and 144 1.
What number do I call for poisoning in Switzerland?
145, Tox Info Suisse 1.
Who handles iodine tablets?
The Armed Forces Pharmacy, through Jodtabletten Schweiz 4. See the iodine page.
Who is in charge of household supply advice?
The Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES, German BWL) 3.
Sources
- Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz BABS (Alertswiss) — Notfallplan — https://www.alert.swiss/content/dam/alertswiss-internet/de/notfallplan/Emergency%20plan_A4_DE.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz BABS — Schutzbauten — https://www.babs.admin.ch/de/schutzbauten/schutzraeume (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Bundesamt für wirtschaftliche Landesversorgung BWL — Kluger Rat – Notvorrat — https://www.bwl.admin.ch/de/kluger-rat-notvorrat (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Armeeapotheke – Geschäftsstelle Jodtabletten Schweiz — Verteilung von Jodtabletten: eine vorsorgliche Schutzmassnahme / Fragen und Antworten — https://www.jodtabletten.ch/de/faq (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Switzerland, worked out for your household.
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- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz BABS (Alertswiss) · Notfallplan checked 2026-10-20
- Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz BABS · Schutzbauten checked 2026-10-20
- Bundesamt für wirtschaftliche Landesversorgung BWL · Kluger Rat – Notvorrat checked 2026-10-20
- Armeeapotheke – Geschäftsstelle Jodtabletten Schweiz · Verteilung von Jodtabletten: eine vorsorgliche Schutzmassnahme / Fragen und Antworten checked 2026-10-20