Interview Dr Eymann, President of the SOE
25 March 2024 – “We know that it’s just a matter of time until another earthquake occurs. And we want to be prepared for it with the Earthquake damage organization (EDO).”
With the founding of the Earthquake damage organization (EDO), Switzerland laid an important cornerstone for earthquake preparedness, says Dr Stephanie Eymann. Dr Eymann is a Cantonal Councillor and Chair of the Department of Justice and Security in the canton of Basel-Stadt. She is also the president of the EDO. In this interview, Dr Eymann explains why the preparedness work by the EDO is so important and what role Swiss politics plays in earthquake preparedness.
Dr Eymann, you are the president of the EDO. How were you selected for that office?
I was asked by the former Director of Building Insurance for Basel-Stadt on behalf of the Intergovernmental Conference on Issues relating to Military, Civil Protection and Fire Services (RK MZF) if I would be interested in forming the association and overseeing its development. The issue is important, so I was happy to oblige.
You’re also a Cantonal Councillor in Basel-Stadt. What value does the EDO bring to the city of Basel?
There’s an awareness in Basel that we live in an area susceptible to earthquakes. The earthquake of 1356 is firmly anchored in the city’s collective memory. It was one of the biggest earthquakes in Central Europe and had a devastating impact on the city. In everyday life, the earthquake is a non-issue. But we know that it’s just a matter of time until another earthquake occurs. We want to be prepared for that. The EDO helps us in that by providing important technical support with regard to preparedness, damage mitigation and dealing with incidents.
And what added value is there for the rest of Switzerland?
Although Basel sits atop the Upper Rhine Rift and therefore has a higher probability of earthquakes than the rest of Switzerland, the benefit of the EDO is the same for the other cantons: in certain specialities in the area of earthquake research, there are just a few experts in all of Switzerland. Cantons, municipalities and organisations don’t always have this technical expertise. So the EDO fills that gap.
What were the challenges in founding the EDO?
In retrospect, the founding itself and starting the implementation project were definitely the biggest challenges. The founding required the consent of the RK MZF, the insurance industry associations, the Association of Cantonal Buildings Insurers and the Swiss Insurance Association (SIA). The pandemic delayed the decision on establishing the EDO by some months.
Starting the project required signature of the service agreements with all the partners because they regulated the financial obligations, among other things. Concluding the service agreements with all cantons and insurers also took a lot more time than we expected. But we were able to reach an agreement with all the partners we contacted. The EDO is the first project that all cantons and all public and private insurers have jointly implemented.
Are there any remaining conflicts of interest?
No, there’s nothing of that sort at this point. Despite the broad and multifaceted support, all parties agree that the EDO is needed and that an earthquake can only be managed together. The creation of the EDO has helped the cantons, the Swiss Confederation and insurers work much more closely together.
Why is the EDO and its approach important and expedient for damage management?
It can be broken down to a simple denominator: the population wants stability and “normal conditions”. First and foremost, an earthquake is an acute event that disrupts this normal state and that has to be managed. However, we can see from cases around the world that after an earthquake, the affected societies cannot return to normal for years to come, for example because there are delays in reconstruction. These are types of follow-on damage that can be reduced through appropriate preparations. I am glad that the EDO gives us an organisation dedicated to this long-term perspective.
How is the EDO structured?
The EDO is organised as an association. Associations often respond to an active need to make a difference. The fact that the association is so widely supported – in addition to all the cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein, there are also the cantonal building insurance and private insurance companies – clearly shows that there is a need for a centre of expertise.
Particularly with regard to civil protection, the question of the ratio of effort and income is repeatedly raised. The answer is always the same: hopefully, the incident will never happen. But if it does happen, we’ll be very happy to have prepared for it.
How is the EDO financed?
One half of the EDO is financed by the cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein and the other half by building insurance and private insurance companies. The operating costs are reduced to a minimum through a lean organisation.
Where would you position the EDO in Switzerland’s preparedness planning?
In principle, we are fortunate to be among the world leaders in Switzerland when it comes to preparedness. But we cannot rest on our laurels. Particularly not with a topic that only becomes acute every few decades or even centuries. In terms of preparedness planning, the EDO has to serve as the essential point of contact between federal and cantonal authorities on the one hand and private planners on the other. That’s why we have gained many partners on both sides of this equation. The EDO is the knot that ties two loose ends together.
The EDO originated from a public-private partnership project. What does that mean?
Simply put, a public-private partnership brings together the public and the private sector in order to pursue a common goal. In our case, both sides want to minimise the damage caused by an earthquake.
Where does the RK MZF, which you represent, fit into that? Why is this conference relevant to the EDO?
The RK MZF brings with it a great deal of expertise when it comes to the immediate management of natural disasters. An important keyword here is “resilience”. In the event of an earthquake, our organisations can rescue people, extinguish fires, clear debris, protect the environment, accommodate injured or homeless people – the whole programme of the rescue workers. We bring this viewpoint to the table. .
Who are the other partners of the EDO? Why are these partnerships essential for the EDO?
I just mentioned what the rescue organisations bring to the task. But they cannot drive forward the reconstruction of society and stabilise civil structures. An earthquake often lasts only a few seconds, but the follow-on damage can last for years. This often also affects the private sector. That’s why I’m very happy that we have a partner in the EDO that represents this perspective.
What is required from the Swiss political sphere for the EDO to act successfully?
We already have very strong support from all the cantons, which would not be possible without the political side. Conceptual support outside the administrative structures would certainly be helpful for the work of the EDO, to ensure that our main concern – preparedness – is given greater weight. Earthquake preparedness can’t be a luxury and it has to benefit all strata of our society.