New digital platform, TERMOT, closes the gap in earthquake preparation
September 2022 – The Schadenorganisation Erdbeben (SOE) association was founded last year to ensure earthquake preparedness in Switzerland. Its mission is to ascertain all the damage following an earthquake as quickly as possible. This means that no time is unnecessarily lost before buildings are repaired. This calls for sophisticated and reliable systems. The SOE has secured the development of the required IT infrastructure with SwissRe. After an earthquake hits, the platform provides all building and incident information to damage experts centrally by means of a mobile application.
Time is precious in the period immediately following an earthquake and when initiating rescue operations. In order to promptly commence repairs and reconstruction, damage experts require extensive information about the damaged buildings (such as their age and use). This information makes it possible to determine the condition of the affected buildings more accurately and to carry out an onsite damage assessment. So as to be able to provide this information, the Schadenorganisation Erdbeben – which was founded one year ago – requires a suitable IT application. The system developed by SOE and SwissRe comprises a platform that provides the necessary building and incident information in the event of a catastrophe. In addition, a mobile application supports the onsite experts. This enables all important information to be ascertained in order to calculate the repair and reconstruction costs. Only with this information can reconstruction be swiftly initiated. The SOE thus closes a major gap in the capacity to prepare for an earthquake.
It is all the more pleasing that insurers and cantons as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein have chosen to work directly with the SOE. By doing so, they are supporting the creation of a nationwide organisation dedicated to managing damage. The operational foundation is currently being developed together with the implementation partners. This will help provide personnel and technical resources in the event of an earthquake.
Schadenorganisation Erdbeben
The SOE originates from a public-private partnership project. It is funded by the cantons, the Principality of Liechtenstein, cantonal building insurers and private insurers. Specialist units of the Confederation, including the Swiss Seismological Service at the ETH Zurich, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and the Federal Office for the Environment, are also supporting the SOE and ensuring coordination with federal earthquake preparedness measures. The organisation is set to contribute substantially towards making society more resilient.