Protection System for large gatherings of people in religious sites

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM FOR EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE 2023 | MAY 29^TH – MAY 31^ST | RODES, GREECE

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT - FACTS

• Project media www.prosperes.eu www.linkedin.com/company/prosperes/

• Duration: from 01/06/2020 to 30/11/2023
• Project Coordinator: University of Lodz (PL)
• Number of Partners: 18 (6 EU countries)

AIM: To enhance the protection of places of worship against terrorist threats by balancing security measures and preserving the open nature of religious sites.

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THE PROJECT

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To enhance the protection of places of worship against terrorist threats by balancing security measures and preserving the open nature of religious sites.

Standardization of resilience, protection, and crisis management.

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Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, and other PWs are well secured and friendly for worshipers. Standardized safety & security infrastructure, procedures, professional personnel, and conscious, prepared community.

VISION

MISSION

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• Effects of exchange a good practice in security systems, analysis of needs and gaps at religious sites of worship.
• Measures for prevention, protection, deterrence and response against various types of terrorist threats and incidents including attacks with CBRN agents.
• Supported by a modular training, including �e-learning with VR and large-scale exercises.

PROSPERES PROJECT SYSTEM

VAT LITE

Aimed toward increasing the protection level of places of worship (PW) in the EU, the ProSPeReS project follows a risk-based approach, which among other activities includes vulnerability assessments (vas) for selected PW.

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This project was funded by the European Union’s Internal Security Fund — Police.

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• Equipment recommendation matrix
• External premises technical arrangements
• Entry points technical solutions
• Internal area technical arrangements
• First response equipment

Recommendations for equipment – monitoring, detection and protection

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Protocols for communication and cooperation with public services

• Protocols for reporting threats and updates
• A model example of cooperation at the action scene
• Models for cooperation and notification in large religious events

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• Landscape design
• Separate zones and access control
• Traffic routes
• Physical surveillance and CCTV
• Physical barriers and territorial enhancement
• Facility management

Security by Design Guidebook for Religious �Sites

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• Guidelines
• Checklist
• Animation
• Video

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• A guideline with basic information on CBRN:
• Chemical threats
• Biological threats
• Radiological and Nuclear threats
• Examples of CBRN attacks
• Ways of exposure to dangerous substances
• Indicators of CBRN attack
• What to do after CBRN incident
• Personal protection equipment and decontamination

Introduction to CBRN threats

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• Recommendations and procedures related to multistakeholder cooperation and efficient policing to strengthen terrorism preventive and reactive measures (including CBRN)
• Review of available technical security equipment and personal protective equipment to be used as part of strengthening the resilience of places of worship;
• Communication protocols between places of worship staff and LEAs, EMS, Fire Service, and Municipalities involved in protecting places of worship and countering serious threats;
• Tools and tips for religious places - Vulnerability Assessment Tool LITE version and Checklist;.
• Security-by-Design guidelines

Guidebook on security measures for religious sites and communities’

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Appendices to the Guidebook

• Appendix 1 – Set of procedures to prevent, protect, detect, respond and mitigate the result of terrorist attacks.
• Appendix 2 – Recommendations for equipment – monitoring, detection, and protection.
• Appendix 3 – Protocols for communication and cooperation with public services.

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https://prosperes.eu/resources/

Anna van der Stok (DISSS)

annavanderstok@disss.eu

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www.disss.eu

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM FOR EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE 2023 | MAY 29^TH – MAY 31^ST | RODES, GREECE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The work presented in this paper received funding from the European Commission, under the “Internal Security Fund ISFP-2020-AG-PROTECT” entitled <ProSPeReS> (<Protection System for Large Gatherings of People in Religious Sites>) under Grant Agreement number 101034230.

FOR EU FUNDED PROJECTS

FEEL FREE TO MODIFY OR REMOVE SLIDE

(E.G. IF NOT AN EU FUNDED PROJECT)

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

• As a part of risk assessment

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VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS PROSPERES

• Identified Vulnerabilities at PW

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• Identified Challenges

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• Recommendations

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STICHTING DISSS

Questions?

The Stichting Dutch Institute for Safe and Secure Space (DISSS), is a non-profit organisation that focuses on ‘Safe & Secure Spaces’ by:

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• Collaborating in multiple-helix and multi-disciplinary co-creation projects and collaborations across Europe
• Social and technological innovation projects
• DISSS is active from idea, through research & development, to business development and operational implementation.

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS PROSPERES

• Identified Vulnerabilities at PW

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• Not only related to a lack of technical security measures, but also:

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• to risk awareness and the security culture of the religious staff and operator
• to emergency response training
• lack of communication and collaboration between the religious staff and local stakeholders ��responsible for the protection of the sites.

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VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS PROSPERES

• Identified challenges at PW

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• mainly sociotechnical challenges, such as:

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• Legal restrictions
• Perceived acceptance by the community
• Site operator’s security and organisational culture
• Nature and purpose of pw
• Service of pw to the community

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