Schutz & Rettung Zürich (Wache Süd / Hauptsitz)

Schutz & Rettung (SRZ) is the central organization for safety and emergency response in Zürich. It unites under one roof the fire brigade, the ambulance service, the civil protection organization, the 144/118 emergency dispatch center, as well as the city of Zürich's fire police. Beyond that, SRZ operates the College of Higher Education for Rescue Professions in order to train the next generation of rescue personnel.

The main tasks of Schutz & Rettung are diverse. These include the rescue and transfer service, the professional fire brigade in both career and militia form, as well as civil protection, which prepares for emergencies and organizes protective structures. The emergency dispatch center plays a crucial role by receiving emergency calls and coordinating the appropriate assistance. SRZ also ensures preventive fire protection in order to minimize safety risks and to protect the population.

With currently around 900 employees and over 1,500 militia members, SRZ is the largest civilian rescue organization in Switzerland. In 2025, the emergency dispatch center recorded over 168,000 calls. In addition, the fire brigade was called out over 5,600 times, and the ambulance service carried out over 41,300 operations.

The protection concept of SRZ goes far beyond emergency response. It also includes training and education in order to ensure that all deployed personnel are optimally prepared. The new Bildungszentrum Blaulicht, which opened in 2023, is a significant step in this direction, as it unites the various rescue services under one roof.

Located in Zürich, SRZ offers not only a professional response to emergencies, but also a valuable information and communication platform for the population. The institution is there to respond quickly in every situation and thereby to ensure the safety of all citizens.