What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Switzerland

Emergency in Switzerland right now? Call 112 for general emergency help, 144 for an ambulance, 117 for police, or 118 for firefighters. For suspected poisoning, 145 reaches poison experts. In a serious mountain rescue, the Swiss air-rescue number 1414 may also be relevant. Give your location and immediate danger first. If someone is in immediate danger, call before reading further.

This guide is for Swiss residents, international students and visitors, including people in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Lucerne, the Alps and remote valleys. It starts with the actionable numbers, then explains medical emergencies, fires, police help, poison exposure, mountain accidents, flood and avalanche warnings, Swiss public alerts and household preparation. Swiss federal and tourism sources checked 5 November 2026.

Quick reference: who to call during an emergency in Switzerland

112 — European emergency number: general emergency access and an appropriate fallback when you need urgent help but are unsure which Swiss service to contact.
117 — police (Polizei / Police / Polizia): immediate threats, serious crimes in progress and situations requiring urgent police intervention.
118 — firefighters (Feuerwehr / Pompiers): fires, dangerous smoke and urgent firefighting or rescue cases.
144 — ambulance / medical emergency (Sanität / Ambulance): someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, severely injured or experiencing other potentially life-threatening symptoms.
145 — Tox Info Suisse: advice about possible poisoning, medicine overdose or other toxic exposure. If someone has collapsed, is having a seizure or cannot breathe normally, call 144 or 112 immediately.
1414 — Rega air rescue: a Swiss helicopter rescue contact relevant to serious alpine or remote-area incidents; call 112 or 144 if that is the working urgent service, and never delay rescue because you are unsure which aircraft service is appropriate.
143 — Die Dargebotene Hand / La Main Tendue: support for adults facing emotional distress or a crisis; it is not an ambulance or police dispatch service.
147 — Pro Juventute: support and counselling for children and young people, distinct from immediate emergency dispatch.

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Communications lists 112, 117, 118, 144, 145, 143 and 147 in its official short-number directory and explains that some calls, including 1414, can incur charges. Switzerland Tourism also lists 1414 for rescue. Sources: OFCOM short-number guidance and Switzerland Tourism emergency contacts.

The first minute: seven steps to do first

Get to a safer place if possible. Avoid traffic, fire, smoke, live cables, unstable slopes, falling rocks, floodwater and violence. Do not risk a second casualty by entering a dangerous rescue scene.
Call the correct number. Use 144 for an urgent ambulance, 118 for a fire, 117 for police, or 112 when uncertain which service should respond.
Give a precise location. State the canton, town or commune, road, building or house number, floor, apartment, gate and nearest landmark. In the Alps, give the trail, hut, route and reliable GPS coordinates if available.
Explain what happened briefly. One person collapsed; a fire is spreading; a climber fell; a person is threatening others.
Report how many people are affected. Mention unconsciousness, severe bleeding, breathing problems or people trapped or unable to evacuate.
Follow the operator’s instructions. Answer questions honestly and stay reachable. Follow first-aid guidance or evacuation instructions appropriate to the current situation.
Help responders find you. If safe, position someone at the entrance, road junction, path marker or station exit so the crew does not have to search.

A concise English call: ‘Ambulance, please. One person is unconscious at [street and number], [town], canton [name], third floor, building B. My number is [telephone].’ In German: ‘Ich brauche einen Rettungswagen. Eine Person ist bewusstlos. Die Adresse ist …’ In French: ‘J’ai besoin d’une ambulance. Une personne est inconsciente. L’adresse est…’

Why one Swiss guide needs to cover four languages and different regions

Switzerland has German, French, Italian and Romansh language regions, and local emergency operations are organised through cantons and responsible services. A traveller may have to give a location in a language unfamiliar to them. The core short emergency numbers are stable nationally, but knowing a canton, commune and road name is essential for the correct regional routing.

A city apartment in Geneva is usually found by an address and entrance. A hiking incident near a remote pass may require a map coordinate, signed trail and the nearest mountain hut. A road accident in a tunnel may need the route number, kilometre marker, tunnel name and direction of travel. Always give the actual position rather than simply the nearest famous resort.

The federal mapping service describes emergency routing regions for 112, 117, 118, 143, 144 and 147 and the importance of connecting a caller to the correct response centre: Swiss federal emergency call routing map.

Medical emergencies: when to call 144

Collapse, heart attack signs, stroke symptoms or major injury

Dial 144 immediately for an unconscious person, severe breathing difficulty, major bleeding, serious trauma, suspected stroke or heart attack, a severe allergic reaction or another potentially life-threatening condition. Describe what is happening, not the illness you suspect. A dispatcher may tell you how to begin CPR, use an AED or provide appropriate first aid.

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow professional CPR instructions and any relevant training. Have another person retrieve an accessible AED when possible. If serious bleeding is present, apply direct firm pressure if safe, and follow instructions. Do not give water, food or tablets to someone unable to swallow safely.

Keep the patient in a safe position and avoid unnecessary movement after major trauma unless immediate environmental danger requires relocation. Tell responders about the entrance, floor, available lift and any obstacles. If the incident is in a mountain area, give the nearest safe access point and weather conditions.

A medical concern that is urgent but not clearly life-threatening

Not every illness requires an ambulance. A person with a non-life-threatening health concern may contact their regular physician, cantonally organised medical on-call service or another appropriate medical provider. The specific number can differ by canton and insurer. Do not assume that one private clinic number works throughout Switzerland.

If symptoms become severe, a person loses consciousness or develops significant breathing difficulty, escalate to 144. The purpose of emergency medical dispatch is urgent help during immediate danger, not routine transport or an appointment.

Poisoning and medication mistakes: 145 versus 144

Call 145 to reach Tox Info Suisse for suspected poisoning, accidental medicine overdose, ingestion of a chemical, toxic plant or other exposure requiring specialist advice. Give the suspected substance, dose, time, the person’s age and symptoms when known. Keep the container or label nearby if safe. Do not induce vomiting or try a home antidote without professional directions.

If a person collapses, has a seizure, cannot be awakened or is not breathing normally, call 144 or 112 immediately for urgent medical response. Tox Info may also direct callers to emergency care. The Federal Office of Communications specifically lists 145 as the poisons hotline and 144 as ambulance dispatch: Swiss federal short-number directory.

Fire, smoke or chemical exposure: when to call 118

If smoke or fire threatens people or property, dial 118. Warn others where safe, activate a building alarm where appropriate, and leave by a safe escape route. Avoid elevators during an active fire unless firefighters direct otherwise. Close doors behind you if safe and do not return inside for passports, equipment or luggage.

If you cannot leave because the stairs or corridor are full of smoke, move to a safer area when possible, report your floor, room and nearest window to the emergency service and follow firefighters’ instructions. Do not try to pass through thick smoke merely because a generic sign points toward an exit.

During an industrial chemical release or suspected gas leak, keep away from the dangerous area, avoid sparks or flames and follow incident-specific directions about sheltering or evacuation. Both may be appropriate depending on the hazard. The authorities’ instructions for the actual incident take precedence over general online advice.

Violent crime and immediate police danger: 117

Call 117 for a serious threat, assault, crime in progress or other incident requiring urgent police attention. Move somewhere safer first when possible. Describe your location, the number of people involved, observed weapons or injuries, and the direction an offender went if known. Do not pursue someone armed or behaving violently just to collect evidence.

For matters not involving immediate danger, the relevant cantonal or municipal police department has reporting and non-emergency contacts. Avoid using an urgent emergency line for a routine administrative enquiry when nobody needs rapid intervention. A violent incident may also require medical assistance via 144.

Alpine rescue: when to use 1414

The Swiss air-rescue number 1414 can be relevant for serious incidents involving hikers, climbers, skiers, avalanche victims and people injured in inaccessible terrain. Explain the precise location, number of people, injuries, weather, terrain and available access. Do not assume a helicopter can safely fly in every storm, valley or low-visibility condition; emergency services decide how to respond.

Call the working emergency service that can receive your request promptly. If you cannot remember the specialist rescue number, 112 or 144 is appropriate for an urgent situation needing rescue or medical care. Switzerland Tourism lists 1414, and the federal telecoms agency lists it as a specialised short number that may be charged: Swiss Tourism rescue numbers.

Never try to reach a fallen climber by entering the same unstable slope or crossing a crevasse without training. Provide the last known location and keep yourself safe. A person who remains at a safe identifiable position to guide rescuers can be essential.

Avalanche risk: prevention before rescue

An avalanche may trap people or obstruct a road or trail. Check the current avalanche bulletin, snowpack, weather, route exposure and local closures before heading into alpine terrain. A route that was safe yesterday can become dangerous after new snow, wind loading or warming. Do not treat social-media photos of a ski slope as an official safety assessment.

If an avalanche happens and someone is missing, raise the emergency alarm immediately, describe the location and last known position, and follow trained rescue procedures. Companions who have avalanche training and the correct equipment may be able to assist, but entering unstable snow without understanding the risk can create more victims. The Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) publishes the official avalanche bulletin and snow conditions.

Flooding, landslides and storms

Heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or intense storms can raise river levels and destabilise slopes. Stay away from flooded tunnels, riverbanks, unsafe bridges and roads where currents obscure the surface. Do not drive through water or enter a flooded basement to retrieve vehicles or disconnect electricity. Follow the cantonal and communal civil-protection instructions and current weather warnings.

A narrow mountain valley can be especially hazardous if a road is blocked by a landslide or debris flow. Avoid standing below unstable ground and do not attempt to remove large debris in an active hazard zone. If someone is trapped or injured, contact 112 or the relevant urgent rescue service and give a safe approach, nearest village or landmark.

Switzerland’s federal natural-hazards portal naturgefahren.ch and Federal Office for Civil Protection explain the official monitoring and warning structure for floods, storms, landslides, forest fires, earthquakes and avalanches.

Switzerland’s sirens: what to do when you hear the general alarm

Switzerland uses a nationwide network of civil-protection sirens. A general alarm is a cue to obtain immediate official instructions through the radio, Alertswiss website or app and follow them. Do not guess the reason for the siren or assume the correct response is always to evacuate. The safety action depends on the current hazard and official message.

A warning about contaminated drinking water may require avoiding tap water; a chemical release may instruct you to close windows and ventilation; a flood alert may order evacuation from a vulnerable area. Read the location and the issuing authority and help neighbours who cannot access the information. The federal instructions are at Informing, warning and alerting the population.

Alertswiss: an official warning system, not an ambulance app

Alertswiss is a free government website and app supported by the Confederation and the cantons. It publishes information, warnings and alerts about dangerous incidents. Users can configure which locations and kinds of notifications are relevant. A public alert identifies the issuing authority, threat area, possible consequences and actions to take.

The Federal Office for Civil Protection explains three notification levels: information about a relevant incident, warning about potential or developing danger, and alert with urgent instructions that must be followed. A person seeing an alert should read the actual action rather than treat the alert’s colour as a complete explanation.

You can prepare a personal emergency plan in the Alertswiss app, with important information stored locally on the device so it can remain available during some network interruptions. This is useful planning, but the app cannot replace calling 144 for a person who is not breathing normally. Sources: Federal Office for Civil Protection — Alertswiss and Alertswiss FAQs.

Public safety after an earthquake

Switzerland experiences earthquakes, although their frequency and severity vary. During shaking, protect the head and neck, stay away from falling objects and avoid running through breaking glass. If possible, get low under sturdy cover and hold on until shaking stops. Afterwards assess debris, damaged walls, power lines and possible gas leaks. Do not use a damaged lift.

If the building is unsafe or officials order evacuation, leave by a safe route and keep away from unstable masonry. Aftershocks may follow. For an injured or trapped person, call 144, 118 or 112 as appropriate. The Swiss Seismological Service provides earthquake hazard and incident information through the federal natural-hazards system.

The three-language address problem: how to be found

Canton and municipality: say Zurich, Vaud, Bern, Ticino or the appropriate canton and town or commune.
Street: Strasse, Rue, Via or the local road name plus house number.
Flat or workplace: building, stairwell, floor, apartment or unit number and correct entrance.
Public transport: station, platform, railway line, exit and nearest clear approach.
Motorway: motorway number, direction, exit, tunnel or kilometre marker.
Alps: valley, peak, resort, trailhead, hut/refuge, lift station and verified map coordinates.
Callback: the reachable phone number and whether reception or battery is poor.

Useful phrases in Swiss language regions

German — ‘Hilfe!’ — Help!
German — ‘Ich brauche einen Rettungswagen.’ — I need an ambulance.
French — ‘J’ai besoin d’une ambulance.’ — I need an ambulance.
French — ‘Il y a un incendie.’ — There is a fire.
Italian — ‘Ho bisogno di un’ambulanza.’ — I need an ambulance.
Italian — ‘C’è un incendio.’ — There is a fire.
Any language: say the location, condition and number of people affected as clearly as possible.

Service language arrangements vary by canton and call centre. Do not wait for perfect grammar or an interpreter if someone is in immediate danger. Show a written local-language address to a trusted helper when possible, and repeat the location until it is understood.

A five-minute preparedness checklist

Save 112, 117, 118, 144 and 145 with the correct description; add 1414 for regular alpine travel.
Write the full home or accommodation address with canton, commune, house number, floor and road access.
Know where the nearest AED is located, your building’s fire escape and a safe meeting point.
Install Alertswiss if useful, configure relevant locations and create or print an emergency plan.
Check local natural-hazard and avalanche warnings before alpine travel, storms or river outings.
Keep essential medication, appropriate clothing, water, flashlight and charged communications available.
Share your hiking route and return time with a trusted person if entering remote terrain.
Plan how children, elderly people and those with mobility or communication needs can get help.

Common mistakes to avoid

Dialling 117 for a medical collapse when the dedicated ambulance number is 144.
Assuming 145 poison advice will automatically dispatch an ambulance to an unresponsive person.
Believing 1414 guarantees immediate helicopter access irrespective of weather or location.
Treating Alertswiss as a way to request urgent rescue instead of contacting emergency dispatch.
Leaving a marked safe route to reach an injured climber across an avalanche slope without training.
Ignoring the general alarm siren rather than reading Alertswiss or official broadcasts.
Driving through flooded tunnel sections or entering an electrically hazardous basement.
Giving only the name of a ski resort without a trail, lift, hut or reliable exact position.

Frequently asked questions

Does 112 work in Switzerland?

Yes. Swiss federal telecommunications authorities list 112 as a free European emergency number in Switzerland. Dedicated national service numbers include 117 police, 118 fire and 144 ambulance.

What is the Swiss emergency ambulance number?

144 is the dedicated ambulance emergency line. Give symptoms, the precise location and any relevant access problem.

Who should I call after a suspected poisoning?

145 provides specialist advice through Tox Info Suisse. For collapse, seizure or severe breathing difficulty, call 144 or 112 immediately.

What is 1414?

It is the Swiss air-rescue number used for urgent mountain or remote-area rescue incidents. A working urgent medical or general emergency number can also initiate an appropriate response when you do not know the specialist service.

What should I do when a Swiss warning siren sounds?

Check Alertswiss and official radio broadcasts immediately, follow the specific instructions and help others understand them. Do not assume that a siren always means evacuation.

Is Alertswiss the same as 112?

No. Alertswiss informs you about public hazards. 112 and the dedicated emergency numbers connect you with response services.

Official Swiss sources and useful related reading

Emergency safety note: This is a general public guide, not rescue dispatch or personalised medical care. Cantonal instructions, alpine conditions and warning messages can change quickly. Contact information reviewed on 5 November 2026. In an urgent emergency, call 112, 144, 117 or 118 as appropriate.