When every second counts: Digital security for Volketswil
Reliable alerting in an emergency: The municipality of Volketswil is digitising its emergency communications with eAlarm crisis and can reach all staff within seconds.
Emergency communications using eAlarm crisis for the municipality of Volketswil. 6 Min.
- A political municipality in the canton of Zurich
- Around 150 administrative staff
- Various critical infrastructure facilities and sites
- Introduction of eAlarm crisis as the central alerting platform
- Alerts via app, text message, email and telephone
- Replacement of a fault-prone legacy system
An emergency doesn’t follow a schedule. When an alarm is triggered at the municipal building in Volketswil, information must reach the right people within seconds. This is exactly what posed a challenge for those responsible: the previous system was too prone to errors. “During our tests, we experienced failure rates of up to ten percent,” recalls Andreas Fritschi, Head of IT for the municipality of Volketswil, “and in an emergency, that would be fatal. We cannot afford such an error rate in a crisis situation.” Together with Mirco Blattner, Deputy Municipal Clerk, he set out to find a suitable solution.
A flexible, centralized solution
The requirements were clear: a web-based solution without local infrastructure, intuitive for all employees, and flexible enough for different use scenarios. With eAlarm crisis, the municipality of Volketswil found a solution that meets these requirements. The cloud-based platform centrally consolidates all alerting channels and enables messages to be triggered simultaneously via multiple channels—through a mobile app, SMS, email, or phone.
Implemented together, widely accepted
The implementation was deliberately carried out in close collaboration with the various departments. “The administration is very heterogeneous,” says Blattner. For this reason, each department was analyzed individually. This made it possible to create a solution that works across all areas and enjoys a high level of acceptance. Today, around 150 employees actively use the eAlarm crisis app. Individuals without the app are automatically reached via alternative channels. As Andreas Fritschi emphasizes: “The system is so flexible that no one is left behind.”
Proven in a real emergency
In the summer of 2025, the solution was used for the first time under real conditions. Coolant leaked in the underground parking garage of the municipal building. The Volketswil municipal team had to react quickly and inform employees. The alert was triggered as planned: everyone was informed immediately, and the fire department was quickly on site. A later fire alarm also confirmed the reliability of the solution. The alerting process ran smoothly, and the situation was quickly brought under control.
In the meantime, the municipality of Volketswil is already working on expanding the alerting system. In the future, locations such as the outdoor swimming pool or sports facilities will also be integrated into the system.
Three practical tips from Volketswil
- Involve employees early. This builds acceptance and confidence.
- Design processes flexibly. Each department has its own requirements.
- Focus on ease of use. Every second counts in an emergency.