Disasters in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein's highest expected damage risk is a shortage of electricity. Earthquakes, Rhine flooding or a Rhine dam failure and cyber incidents are also major risks. Other hazards include flooding, storms, landslides, avalanches, rockfall, debris flows, surface runoff and forest fires. Infectious diseases can affect disaster protection, but medical prevention and treatment belong primarily to the health system. The national civil protection system protects people, the environment and critical infrastructure. The Office for Civil Protection, abbreviated ABS, handles hazard prevention, hazard-zone planning, protective structures, warning and evacuation planning, emergency exercises, emergency supplies and coordination tasks. The Government provides political leadership. Municipal authorities and municipal command bodies normally manage local incidents, supported by fire brigades, Samaritan associations, civil protection groups, public works and forestry services. Mountain rescue, rescue dogs, water rescue, the avalanche service, health services and contracted private providers can provide additional support. The Population Protection Act distinguishes a normal situation, a special situation and an extraordinary situation. Municipalities and ordinary resources manage a normal situation. A special situation arises when a municipality is overwhelmed or needs wider technical assessment. An extraordinary situation requires external assistance because ordinary resources are insufficient. In such cases, the National Leadership Staff, abbreviated LFS, or a technical incident command coordinates operations. The Government can request international assistance, and the National Police can direct immediate measures when danger requires action before the LFS is active. Liechtenstein has 23 stationary sirens. Authorities can activate them through Polycom, mobile communications or manually. Alertswiss provides alarms, warnings and information through its app and website, and radio remains an additional channel. SRG-ICARO, SRF 1, SRF 3 and the national channel carry emergency information. A siren outside the annual test on the first Wednesday of February requires people to consult radio or Alertswiss, follow official instructions and inform neighbours. A general alarm signals the need to obtain information and follow behavioural instructions. A water alarm applies only to areas at risk below dams; affected people should leave the danger area according to official instructions rather than choosing an evacuation path independently. Cell broadcast activation is planned, but current operation is not established by the available evidence. Households should keep a personal emergency plan, several days of supplies, a radio and spare batteries, and arrangements for helping neighbours. Each municipality has at least one emergency meeting point in a public building. Authorities activate these points when needed. They provide information, emergency calls, assistance, short-term accommodation and food. Municipal protection has operated as a formal local function since 2022, with 11 municipal units and about 340 municipal protection members. Its four core services are operating emergency meeting points, supporting evacuations, caring for people needing protection and providing food for the population and emergency services. Emergency numbers are 117 for police, 118 for fire services, 144 for medical rescue and 112 for the European emergency number. When activated, the National Leadership Staff hotline at +423 232 9000 provides behavioural instructions, receives reports about missing people and helps reduce pressure on the national emergency call centre. The LFS coordinates restoration of critical infrastructure. Under the customs treaty, Swiss measures can also determine how Liechtenstein manages energy shortages. OSTRAL and KIO Gas are Swiss sector preparedness arrangements for electricity and gas. During a blackout, LKW island operation can supply critical infrastructure, but it is not designed to supply private households or the wider economy. Electricity shortages can lead to saving requests, restrictions, quota systems or rolling shutdowns. Hazard maps for water, avalanches, landslides and rockfall, together with surface-runoff maps, support hazard zones, building requirements, protective structures and emergency planning. The Rhine dam is being rehabilitated in five-kilometre sections, with completion planned through 2026 and an expected reduction in risk. The avalanche service, water and Rhine defence teams, storm defence teams and forest-fire plans support observation, recommendations, protective measures and evacuations. A blanket public fee for warnings, emergency meeting points or emergency calls is not established. Individual emergency, damage and insurance questions depend on the case; a mandatory earthquake-insurance solution remains unresolved and is being discussed together with Switzerland.