Service system
The implementation of the new civil protection project has started in 2004. It will be based on the current system of compulsory service pursuant to the Federal Constitution, and existing service duties will be upheld. National service must be done either in the army (military service), in the P&S service, or - in exceptional cases - in the alternative civilian service system. Fire service duty and other compulsory services are regulated by the cantons. Persons who have done their military or alternative civilian service will no longer be held to serve in P&S. The pending redefinition of a comprehensive compulsory service system will have to be tack-led as soon as cooperation within the civil protection system becomes effective.
Personnel of P&S service
P&S personnel to be deployed in the event of a disaster or emergency is estimated at approximately 105'000 persons for all of Switzerland. In addition, there are about 15'000 persons who were released from P&S duty in order to serve in one of the other partner organisations, so that the overall number of P&S personnel would amount to about 120'000 people. P&S duty lasts from age 20 to 40. Recruitment of P&S personnel takes place concurrently with army recruitment. Recruits do not have free choice. The army takes precedence. Cantons regulate early dismissal from P&S duty. Members of Federal and cantonal executive bodies, of the Federal Parliament and the Federal Court, and full-time members of cantonal tribunals and municipal executive bodies are not subject to this duty.
Fire service personnel
Fire service personnel for all of Switzerland are estimated at approximately 110'000 persons. According to cantonal directives, a part of these may be persons released from P&S duty.
Health care service
A legal framework at cantonal level or agreements based on labour law should be set up to ensure health care services in the event of disasters, emergencies or armed conflict.
Professional personnel
The deployment of professional personnel from all partner organisations is based on labour law provisions.
Women in Civil protection
In principle, women and men have equal opportunities in civil protection. Women are eligible for all functions. Most cantons have introduced compulsory fire service duty for women also. P&S service for women is voluntary.
"Build-up" principle
Additional personnel required in the case of an armed conflict will be recruited only after the decision to 'build-up' has been taken. The first thing the Confederation can do in this respect is to extend the age to which one is liable to do P&S service. The fire services would cover their additional personnel requirements by reintegrating or integrating ex-members and volunteers. No particular measures to build up personnel in the other partner organisations have been planned.