The scenario involved the release of an unknown, harmful substance from a backpack during a conference, where police school students would play the role of the audience. In connection with this situation, the Centre's employees carried out the evacuation and initial decontamination of contaminated people, i.e. removing the harmful substance from their skin and clothing.
The scenario also assumed a hostage being kidnapped and the attackers bunkering down in one of the rooms. Among other things, a counter-terrorist unit arrived at the scene and, after unsuccessful negotiations, stormed the building to capture the perpetrators. The action ended with the hostages being released, and the fire brigade forces were able to enter the building to check the area. A robot, which safely removed a suspicious backpack from the conference room, also took part in the action.
The exercise was organised as part of the European HOTHREAT project, which aims to develop procedures, recommendations and IT tools to increase the level of CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives) security in hotels and conference centres. Testing communication with response services (police, fire brigade), which is crucial to ensuring a quick response, was also an important element.
The project is coordinated by Prof. Michał Bijak from the Biohazard Prevention Centre (Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz). The exercise was organised by the University of Lodz, Safety Core, the Provincial Police Headquarters in Lodz with the support of the City Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Lodz.
We encourage you to get familiar with the materials developed by the Provincial Police Headquarters in Lodz: Hotel – 25, wspólne ćwiczenia Policji i Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego [Hotel – 25, joint exercises of the Police and the University of Lodz]
Source: Prof. Michał Bijak, Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz
Photos: Cezary Kuźmiński; Edyta Machnik Press Team of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Lodz
Edit: Kamila Knol-Michałowska, Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz
