Zivilschutz Zimmerberg ZVZZ

What Zivilschutz Zimmerberg ZVZZ does

Zivilschutz Zimmerberg ZVZZ is a Zweckverband (special purpose association) for civil defense operations in the Horgen district of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Founded in 2016, it consolidates civil protection responsibilities across nine constituent municipalities, coordinating a force of 553 civil defense personnel supported by 6 full-time professional staff. Its mandate encompasses shelter management and inspection, emergency response coordination, disaster preparedness, and support for partner agencies including Feuerwehr (fire services), Schutz und Rettung Zürich, See-Spital Horgen, and regional care homes.

The organization's technology stack is built on the POLYCOM secure radio network and the LAFIS+ command-and-control system, enabling interoperable communication with cantonal and regional emergency services. Operational assets include specialized rescue equipment and shelter infrastructure distributed across the member municipalities. The technical architecture prioritizes reliability and interoperability over innovation, consistent with statutory public-safety requirements.

ZVZZ's funding model is predominantly public: municipal contributions from the nine member municipalities form the core revenue base, supplemented by fee-based services for shelter inspections. As a non-commercial Zweckverband, ZVZZ does not pursue market expansion or generate profits; its scope is bounded by its statutory mandate and constituent membership. The organization's 10-year anniversary in 2026 signals institutional maturity and continued stakeholder confidence in the consolidated operating model.

Name

Zivilschutz Zimmerberg ZVZZ

Legal name

Zweckverband Zivilschutz Zimmerberg

Website

https://zvzz.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zivilschutz Zimmerberg ZVZZ is a Swiss municipal Zweckverband providing civil defense, emergency response coordination, and shelter management services to nine municipalities in the Horgen district, Canton of Zurich, funded through municipal contributions and shelter inspection fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Horgen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Contributions: The Zweckverband is funded through contributions from its 9 member municipalities in the Horgen district. Each municipality provides financial support based on the organization's operational costs for civil defense services.
2. Shelter Control Services: Periodic private shelter inspections are conducted as a fee-based service for property owners. Cities and municipalities are obligated to have shelters periodically inspected.
3. Assignment Planning (ZUPLA): Administrative services for shelter assignment planning, managed on behalf of member municipalities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Zivilschutz Zimmerberg (ZVZZ) is a Zweckverband (special purpose association) operating the civil defense organization for the 9 municipalities of the Horgen district in the canton of Zurich. It delivers disaster response, technical rescue, population care, logistics, communications, and cultural property protection services using a roster of 553 civil defense personnel, alongside fee-based periodic shelter inspections and assignment planning for private property owners.

Product overview

Zivilschutz Zimmerberg (ZVZZ) is a civil protection organization serving the 9 municipalities of the Horgen district. It operates as a unified emergency management service offering multiple interconnected capabilities: Command Support provides situation assessment and communications infrastructure using LAFIS+ and POLYCOM systems; Technical Support (Pioniere) handles rescue and recovery operations; Caregiver teams manage population welfare; Logistics ensures operational support; and Cultural Heritage Protection safeguards valuable assets. Supporting services include emergency call-up systems, annual refresher training courses, leadership development programs, shelter inspection services, and administrative processes for service management. The organization maintains a roster of 553 civil protection personnel organized into a Staff Company and two operational companies with specialized functional areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Command Support (Führungsunterstützung) Provides situation assessment, telecommunications, and logistical coordination support for command organs. Personnel staff situation, telematics, and logistical coordination areas to enable civil defense command functions, including LAFIS+ electronic command information system and POLYCOM radio network integration.
• Technical Support / Pioniere (Unterstützung) Technical rescue and support operations during natural, technical, and civilization-related disasters. Core tasks include searching and rescuing from rubble, technical securing measures, creating temporary infrastructure, and repair work on protective systems. Includes specialized equipment such as water pumps up to 2,500 liters, rock drills, oxy-fuel cutting systems, and concrete breakers.
• Caregivers (Betreuer) Care and support services for endangered or assistance-needing populations during disasters and emergencies. Includes reception, sheltering, feeding, clothing, nursing, and general welfare of displaced persons.
• Logistics (Logistik) Operational logistics services including site management, provision of supplies, transport and equipment deployment, material maintenance, and catering. Services are provided for civil protection and partner organizations as needed.
• Cultural Heritage Protection (Kulturgüterschutz) Protection of movable and immovable cultural assets including monuments, artworks, books, and culturally significant objects. Includes planning, documentation, emergency response plans, and protective measures coordination with fire services.
• Shelter Inspection (Schutzraumkontrolle) Periodic inspection of protective shelters in municipalities including Adliswil, Horgen, Kilchberg, Langnau am Albis, Oberrieden, Richterswil, Rüschlikon, Thalwil, and Wädenswil. Includes Zuweisungsplanung (assignment planning) services. Conducted as a cost-covering fee-based service for property owners.
• Emergency Call-up (Ernstfallaufgebot) Emergency deployment notification system for civil protection personnel via voice message and text notification through Schutz und Rettung Zürich's emergency operations center (Einsatzleitzentrale).
• Refresher Courses (Wiederholungskurse) Annual refresher training courses of 3 to 21 days to maintain operational readiness of civil protection formations including personnel, cadre, and material.
• Cadre Leadership Training (Kaderausbildung) Cadre training programs for group leaders, platoon leaders, specialist area heads, and civil protection commanders covering leadership, training, and operational readiness responsibilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Commendation from VBS (Federal Department of Defence) for COVID-19 telephone support and hospital assistance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• POLYCOM (Swiss Security Radio Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational Swiss security radio network that enables communication between civil protection partner organizations. ZVZZ is integrated into POLYCOM for operational communication during emergencies.
• Feuerwehr (Fire Department)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for cultural property protection and integrated emergency response. Fire department and civil defense coordinate on protection measures and evacuation procedures.
• Schutz und Rettung Zürich (Protection and Rescue Zurich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperational command center that handles alarm and deployment of civil defense personnel. Alarm notifications are transmitted through the Einsatzleitzentrale of Schutz und Rettung Zürich.
• See-Spital HorgenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partnership for personnel support during staff shortages and emergencies. ZVZZ provided significant support during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Altersheime/Care Homes in DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with care homes including Tertianum and Wohnzentrum Fuhr for personnel support during crises and regular training exercises.
• Amt für Militär und Zivilschutz Kanton Zürich (Cantonal Office)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCantonal authority providing guidelines, training facilities (Andelfingen), and coordination for civil defense organizations in the canton.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• ZSO Bezirk Affoltern: Neighboring Bezirk's civil defense Zweckverband, explicitly cited in ZVZZ's history as the model for its founding. Operates an analogous Zweckverband structure pooling multiple municipalities for civil protection services with similar functional areas and federal infrastructure integration.

Regional players

• Feuerwehr Horgen: Local fire service operating within ZVZZ's service area. Partners with ZVZZ on cultural property protection (Kulturgüterschutz) and integrated emergency response, with significant overlap in technical rescue, incident command, and joint training exercises.

Broad incumbents

• Schutz und Rettung Zürich: Cantonal emergency services organization that handles alarm notifications and deployment coordination for ZVZZ via its Einsatzleitzentrale. Operates a much broader emergency response mandate (fire, rescue, medical) that overlaps with ZVZZ's command support and technical rescue capabilities.

Others

• Amt für Militär und Zivilschutz Kanton Zürich: Cantonal authority that provides regulatory guidelines, training facilities (Andelfingen), and oversight for all civil defense organizations in Canton Zurich. Sets the framework within which ZVZZ operates and coordinates activities across regional Zivilschutz organizations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zvzz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zivilschutz Zimmerberg ZVZZ