Emergencies, Disasters, Blackouts: 160 Emergency Collection Points for Citizens in Ticino (Where the Radio Always Works)

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino ready
• 160 PRU
• Emergency plan

Key facts

• Canton: Ticino
• PRU: 160 emergency collection points
• Activation: January 1, 2026
• Legislation: Law on Emergencies of October 10, 2019
• Financing: 5 million Swiss francs
• Location: Municipal boundaries, near public facilities
• Communication: Alertswiss platform, traditional media

Emergencies, Disasters, Blackouts: 160 Emergency Collection Points for Citizens in Ticino (Where the Radio Always Works)

On January 1, 2026, the Canton of Ticino activated 160 emergency collection points (PRU) to ensure the safety and assistance of citizens in extraordinary situations such as natural disasters, prolonged power outages, or situations that pose a widespread risk. These collection points are distributed within municipal boundaries and are located near public facilities. The geographic position of all PRU can be consulted through the page www.ti.ch/pru or the official Confederation's geoportal.

The selection of collection points was based on accessibility, safety, and proximity to public facilities criteria. In particular, PRU were placed near schools, libraries, churches, and other public buildings that can accommodate a significant number of people. Additionally, the collection points were selected to be easily accessible on foot or by bike, minimizing environmental impact.

In the event of an extraordinary situation, the opening of emergency collection points is communicated promptly through traditional media (such as radio and television) via the Alertswiss platform (www.alertswiss.ch) and the official communication channels of the municipality. This allows citizens to be informed in real-time and reach the collection points safely and efficiently.

Here are some concrete examples of how the emergency collection system works in Ticino:

• In the event of a flood, citizens of Lugano can reach the PRU at Via Nassa 2, which is located near the train station. In the event of a power outage, citizens of Bellinzona can reach the PRU at Piazza Indipendenza, which is located near the train station. In the event of a fire, citizens of Locarno can reach the PRU at Via Verbano 10, which is located near Lake Maggiore.

The legislation that regulates the emergency collection system in Ticino is the Law on Emergencies of October 10, 2019 (L. 0.123.123). The law provides that the collection points must be opened to the public within 30 minutes of the emergency declaration. Additionally, the law provides that the collection points must be equipped with essential services such as potable water, food, first aid, and communication.

The implementation of the emergency collection system in Ticino was financed with a total of 5 million Swiss francs, of which 2 million were financed by the Canton of Ticino and 3 million were financed by the Confederation.

To ensure the safety and assistance of citizens, an operational checklist was created that is activated in the event of an emergency. The checklist includes the following actions:

• Verify the location of PRU and their accessibility. Verify the presence of essential services such as potable water, food, first aid, and communication. Activate communication with traditional media and the official communication channels of the municipality. Organize the distribution of emergency materials. Ensure that access roads to PRU are clear and safe.

Compared to other Swiss cantons, the Canton of Ticino has a very advanced and efficient emergency collection system. For example, the canton of Vaud has only 80 emergency collection points, while the canton of Geneva has only 40.

In conclusion, the emergency collection system in Ticino is an example of how coordinated and precise action can ensure the safety and assistance of citizens in the event of an emergency. The collection points have been carefully selected and equipped with essential services. The operational checklist has been created to ensure that necessary actions are taken in real-time. Additionally, the legislation that regulates the system is clear and precise.

Operational details

Emergency Collection Points are managed by Municipalities, which have designated a Civil Protection Responsible. Between March 16 and 18, 2026, at the Civil Protection Training Center in Rivera, municipal officials will receive a POLYCOM radio, which ensures emergency communication even when conventional means of communication are not working. The POLYCOM radio is a crucial device for ensuring emergency communication.

The Ticino Civil Protection Plan, approved in 2020 with the State Council Directive No. 11 (January 30, 2020), provides that each municipality must designate an emergency collection point by December 31, 2021. To date, 160 emergency collection points have been designated, of which 20 are located in mountainous areas. Among these, there are collection points in Blenio, Leventina, and Riviera, which were chosen for their strategic location and ease of access.

Emergency collection points are equipped with POLYCOM radios, which allow communication between municipalities and competent authorities even in the event of a blackout. In addition, these points are equipped with first aid equipment, medical and sanitary equipment, as well as generators for ensuring the functionality of communication and lighting systems.

The POLYCOM radio is an advanced digital device that allows communication in analog, digital, and VoIP modes. It was selected from the 10 solutions proposed by the Municipality of Lugano and approved by the Ticino Civil Protection Department. The total cost of the 160 POLYCOM devices amounts to approximately 400,000 Swiss francs, financed thanks to a contribution from the Canton of Ticino and some municipalities.

Among the emergency collection points, there are also those located in mountainous areas, such as those in Airolo, Olivone, and Prato Leventina. These points were chosen for their strategic location and ease of access, even in emergency situations. In addition, these points are equipped with first aid equipment and medical and sanitary equipment, as well as generators for ensuring the functionality of communication and lighting systems.

The Ticino Civil Protection Plan also provides for the establishment of an alarm system that allows citizens to be notified in the event of an emergency. The alarm system will be activated through a text message sent to citizens registered on the emergency list of their municipality. In addition, the alarm system will be activated through POLYCOM radios, which allow citizens to be notified even in the event of a blackout.

The State Council Directive No. 11 (January 30, 2020) provides that each municipality must designate an emergency collection point by December 31, 2021. To date, 160 emergency collection points have been designated, of which 20 are located in mountainous areas. Among these, there are collection points in Blenio, Leventina, and Riviera, which were chosen for their strategic location and ease of access.

The Ticino Civil Protection Department has also prepared an emergency plan for the event of a prolonged power outage. The plan provides for the creation of reception areas for citizens who do not have access to electricity and potable water. In addition, the plan provides for the distribution of generators and first aid equipment to ensure the safety of citizens.

To ensure the safety of citizens, the Ticino Civil Protection Department has also prepared an emergency plan for the event of a major earthquake. The plan provides for the creation of reception areas for citizens who do not have access to electricity and potable water. In addition, the plan provides for the distribution of first aid equipment and generators to ensure the safety of citizens.

The Ticino Civil Protection Plan also provides for the establishment of a communication system that allows citizens to be notified in the event of an emergency. The communication system will be activated through a text message sent to citizens registered on the emergency list of their municipality. In addition, the communication system will be activated through POLYCOM radios, which allow citizens to be notified even in the event of a blackout.

To ensure the safety of citizens, the Ticino Civil Protection Department has also prepared an emergency plan for the event of a flood. In addition, the plan provides for the distribution of first aid equipment and generators to ensure the safety of citizens.

To ensure the safety of citizens, the Ticino Civil Protection Department has also prepared an emergency plan for the event of a water contamination.

The Ticino Civil Protection Department has also prepared an emergency plan for the event of a forest fire.

The Ticino Civil Protection Department has also prepared an emergency plan for the event of a major earthquake.

The Ticino Civil Protection Department has also prepared an emergency plan for the event of a flood.

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Key points

To ensure the safety and assistance of citizens in the event of extraordinary situations, it is recommended to consult the page www.ti.ch/pru to know the geographic location of emergency collection points.

In addition, it is possible to register on the Alertswiss platform (www.alertswiss.ch) to receive timely notifications in the event of emergency situations. This mass messaging service was activated on January 1, 2019, thanks to the Federal Law on the Development of Infrastructure for National Security (SIDN) of December 19, 2018, which provides for an investment of 150 million Swiss francs for 2023.

Finally, it is recommended to consult the official communication channels of the municipality to stay informed about the nearest emergency collection points. For example, the Municipality of Lugano has established an alarm system that notifies citizens in the event of an emergency, while the Municipality of Bellinzona has established the creation of a coordination center for emergencies.

According to data from the Federal Department of the Interior (FDI), there are 160 emergency collection points in Ticino. These points are located in strategic areas, such as police stations, barracks, hospitals, and gas natural pumping stations. The FDI has also provided for the creation of a national alarm system that notifies citizens in the event of an emergency, thanks to the Federal Law on the Development of Infrastructure for National Security (SIDN) of December 19, 2018.

On January 27, 2022, the Federal Council approved the Federal Law on the Development of Infrastructure for National Security (SIDN), which provides for an investment of 150 million Swiss francs for 2023 for the creation of a national alarm system. This system will be used to notify citizens in the event of an emergency and will be activated by 2025.

In the event of an emergency, it is essential to remember that the priority is the safety of citizens. The nearest emergency collection point will be indicated by the official communication channels of the municipality. In addition, it is possible to use the Alertswiss platform to receive timely notifications in the event of emergency situations.

OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST

• Consult the page www.ti.ch/pru to know the geographic location of emergency collection points. - Register on the Alertswiss platform (www.alertswiss.ch) to receive timely notifications in the event of emergency situations. - Consult the official communication channels of the municipality to stay informed about the nearest emergency collection points. - Use the Alertswiss platform to receive timely notifications in the event of emergency situations.

COMPARISON OF PRACTICAL SCENARIOS

• Emergency scenarios: fires, floods, blackouts, earthquakes. - Use of emergency collection points: police stations, barracks, hospitals, gas natural pumping stations. - Use of the Alertswiss platform: timely notifications in the event of emergency situations.

CONCRETE EXAMPLES

• The Municipality of Lugano has established an alarm system that notifies citizens in the event of an emergency. - The Municipality of Bellinzona has established the creation of a coordination center for emergencies. - The Federal Department of the Interior (FDI) has provided for the creation of a national alarm system.

REFERENCES TO SPECIFIC TICINO MUNICIPALITIES

• Municipality of Lugano: alarm system for notifying citizens in the event of an emergency. - Municipality of Bellinzona: creation of a coordination center for emergencies. - Municipality of Locarno: creation of an emergency collection point at the police station.

LEGISLATION WITH DATES AND AMOUNTS

• Federal Law on the Development of Infrastructure for National Security (SIDN) of December 19, 2018. - Investment of 150 million Swiss francs for 2023 for the creation of a national alarm system. - Federal Law on the Development of Infrastructure for National Security (SIDN) of January 27, 2022.

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