Anyone who finds themselves in an emergency situation needs swift help from professional rescue organizations. The latest TCS Emergency Barometer now indicates that the public's trust in the surveyed emergency organizations has slightly declined. While the fundamental trust in organizations such as medical, mountain, air rescue, or police remains high, the values are consistently lower compared to the previous year. The survey for the Emergency Barometer was conducted by the polling institute gfs.bern on behalf of TCS between mid-February and the end of March. The results may have been influenced by the impressions of the fire disasters in Crans- Montana and Kerzers, which impacted the sense of security.
It also shows that the quality of emergency services within Switzerland is assessed differently. In urban areas, the emergency services are still rated as good by almost all respondents (96 percent). However, in mountainous areas, this figure dropped significantly from 74 to 62 percent, and there was also a noticeable decline in the category of 'remote regions'.
Own Abilities Assessed Poorly
Not only did the trust of survey participants in emergency organizations decline, but also in themselves. Respondents rated their own emergency competence markedly lower than in the 2025 Emergency Barometer. On a scale between 0 and 10, regarding recognizing and reacting correctly in an emergency, the average was 5.6 – compared to 6.3 in the previous year. The population in general is rated even lower, at 4.7. In specific medical emergency situations, people feel less confident. Only 71 percent still feel capable of placing an unconscious person in a recovery position, 10 percent less than in the last Emergency Barometer.
High Willingness for Organized Further Training
Encouraging, however, is the willingness to strengthen their own skills. 81 percent indicated they would welcome regular training in first aid. A large proportion of respondents wish such training to be organized by associations or organizations (Samaritans, Red Cross, TCS), with many, especially TCS members, also mentioning their employer. The option of leaving first aid training entirely up to the individual is clearly rejected.
Study Information
Commissioned By: Touring Club Suisse
Target Group
- Population: Residents over 18 years old living in Switzerland, fluent in one
of the three main languages
- Members: Members of TCS Switzerland, fluent in one of the three main languages.
Survey Method
- Population: Computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), Online Panel
Polittrends
- Members: Online
Selection Procedure
- Population: Random sampling plan
according to Gabler/Häder for RDD/Dual Frame / Using the Swiss-Interview-List, Random Panel
Selection
- Members: Random sample from the member database of TCS Switzerland
Sample Size
- Population: 1,004 (DCH 701, FCH 242, ICH 61)
- Members: 810 (DCH 426, FCH 302, ICH 82)
Survey Period
- Population: 14
February to 19 March 2026
- Members: 17 February to 31 March 2026
Sampling Error
- Population: 3.1
percent
- Members: 3.4 percent
Press Contact:
Marco Wölfli
Spokesperson TCS
Tel. 058 827 34 03
marco.woelfli@tcs.ch