Needs of sport facilities in area of CBRN safety

We invite you to read summary of Safe Stadium research phase on needs of sport facilities in area of CBRN safety. The research followed a three-stage research process, supplementing the findings from the desk research, which analysed over 100 documents. The first stage saw seven of the consortium partners sport facilities collecting information using two questionnaires and conclusion form observation of safety procedures during organized sport and cultural events. The second stage added data from 14 Polish sports facilities. The third stage then involved an online survey of 95 respondents from across the Europe.

We encourage you to read the Executive summary, that it is the result of the first phase of the project.

Safe Stadium Research Executive Summary_website

SAFE STADIUM Consortium partners coordination meeting- 01.06.2022

On the 1st of June 2022, an on-line meeting of the SAFE STADIUM consortium partners was held.  During a joint debate, representatives of scientific institutions, former special forces officers and experts from various security fields from 5 European Union countries discussed the progress of work conducted under the project, which focuses on increasing the level of protection of multi-sport arenas against terrorist threats caused by the use of CBRN agents.

 The meeting was opened by the project coordinator Prof. Michał Bijak from the Centre for Prevention of Biological Threats at the University of Lodz (SAFE STADIUM project leader), who presented the agenda and the order of the meeting.
During the speeches of the following speakers the issues concerning the content and the final shape of the information materials prepared in the form of leaflets, brochures, schemes of action, directed to the people managing the safety at sports arenas (WP 4) were considered. They discussed the way to implement e-learning platform (WP 6) to increase awareness and develop effective response to the occurrence of potential threats and discussed issues concerning the definition of threats of CBRN type that can occur during mass events. Experts from various fields of security presented their proposals for the development of an effective system of detection and removal of contamination caused by threats of biological, chemical and radiation nature and referred to the issues related to the development of the system of evacuation and medical assistance to people affected by a terrorist incident (WP5). Important issues raised during the meeting was the development and implementation of a training program, which is dedicated for employees of services providing security during events in multi-sport arenas (WP6) and the development of a model of spreading biological threats (WP7). The effects of the undertaken works
and verification of the worked out solutions will be crowned with exercises carried out on large-area objects being the arenas of mass events.
The works of consortium are in progress. Stay tuned.

Two study visits in Lodz, Poland

The works of the international consortium Safe Stadium aimed at assessing the vulnerability of large-scale sports venues to terrorist threats related to the potential use of CBRN agents are entering final stage. This time project experts met in Lodz at two facilities administered by MAKIS (Municipal Arena of Culture and Sports). The opportunity to visit the venues were, respectively: a concert of an Australian music formation Dead Can Dance (05.05.2022) and a speedway match (08.05.2022). During the concert at Atlas Arena, which can accommodate about 13 thousand spectators, gathered several thousand fans. While the speedway match on Motoarena, which can accommodate over 10 thousand seats, was attended by 4500 fans of both teams. This two visit were very important for the project, as they focused on different types of events, previous visits were held in relation to football matches (Lech Poznan, Poland; MSK Zilina, Slovakia; Lodz Widzew, Poland and Real Madrid, Spain). Since sport objects may hold various types of events (various matches, concerts, conferences) those visits allowed to observe safety procedures at different context. Two visits in Lodz were the last planned within the project research phase, which included also desk research and survey with sport facilities employees. Conclusions from research phase will be used to create special safety procedures and a system of comprehensive training for people administering multi-level sports and entertainment venues.  

Stay tuned.

SAFE STADIUM in Phnom Penh in Cambodia

Cambodia is going to host ASEAN Games in 2023 and CBRN protection of this sport event is one of the tasks for succesfull organization. New modern sport complex  „Morodok Techo National Stadium“ with main stadium, aquatic centre, indoor sport facilities and training halls will be ready for all competitions.

International Security and Emergency Management Institute (ISEMI) as part of the consortium of SAFE STADIUM project in cooperation with Cambodian General Secretariat of National Authority for Prohibition of CBRN Weapons (NACW) conducted working meeting in Phnom Penh in Cambodia on 3rd and 4th of May 2022. Main aims of the meeting were to visit National stadium in Phnom Penh, to present project Safe Stadium and to share current outcomes implemented in EU from this project. In addition, ISEMI representative provided initial advice how to organize CBRN Protection during ASEAN Games 2023. NACW authorities are very interested in Safe Stadium project and they will appreciate if all significant deliverables from Safe Stadium project can be shared or delivered as new project in Cambodia with the aim to improve CBRN protection of sport/mass events in Cambodia.

Visit at the National Stadium during the final match of the Polish Cup 2021/22

SAFE STADIUM project and conducted within WP2 (Research & Analysis phase) visits of large sports facilities are in progress. On the second of May 2022 the project partners visited the National Stadium in Warsaw, during the final match of the Polish Cup between the teams of Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa. Scientists and representatives of services and institutions guarding public safety and order, associated within an international consortium, evaluated the state of security at the facility, which during mass event usually seats nearly 60 thousand spectators. During the visit, the issues considered included the possibility of CBRN threats, methods of their neutralization and prevention of such incidents. The vulnerability of the facility to terrorist attacks was also assessed, and solutions were discussed that could significantly increase security at the stadium, both during and before and after a mass event. The visit to the National Stadium was preceded by a working meeting on 29 April 2022, where experts were able to look at the preparations of the organizer for the final match. Conclusions arising from the inspection will be taken into account at the next stage of the ongoing work aimed at creating effective procedures to significantly increase the level of security at large sports venues.

The Polish Football Cup Final ended with a 3:1 victory for the Rakow Częstochowa team. Safe Stadium partners would like to congratulate the winning team!!!

Study visit at Real Madrid, Spain

Project meeting, study visit and workshop have been organized within Safe Stadium consortium between 8th and 10th of April.

The three-day event started with project meeting, which was organized at INTA – National Institute of Aerospace Technology a Spanish Public Research Organisation. Project partners first discussed results of Research & Analysis phase (WP2), which focused on analysing needs of sport facilities in the area of CBRN safety. The research phase has almost finished and soon executive summery will be available on the website (please stay tuned). Understanding the needs of stadiums allowed partners to plan further project activities:

  • Procedures, tools, plans and guidelines in the area of CBRN safety (WP4)
  • Set of recommendation in the area of infrastructure, ICT, equipment (WP5)
  • Training materials and eLearning platform addressed to staff responsible for security (WP6)
  • System for an epidemiological enquiry (WP7)

More information about project activities can be found here.

After the meeting project, experts were hosted by the Head of Security of Real Madrid CF and the Head of Security of Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid CF stadium). The visit focused on rebuilding and renovating of the stadium and on safety and security procedures at the stadium.

The second day continued with the study visits at Real Madrid stadium. Participants had a further opportunity to speak with Heads of Security, observe the safety and security procedures put in place before, during and after the match. Participants had also a pleasure to observe the game itself.

The last day of the Madrid visit was devoted to workshops which were organized at Real Madrid Training Centre. The workshops focused on following areas of stadiums CBRN safety:

  • Vulnerability assessment,
  • Risk assessment,
  • CBRN security plan.

News about the visit can be also found at Real Madrid website.

PS: the visit at stadium was organized during La Liga match Real Madrid vs Getafe. The score of the match was 2– 0 for Real Madrid. Safe Stadium Partners congratulate the winning team!

Nk Zelina- Stadium before the match
Nk Zelina- Stadium before the match
Nk Zelina- Stadium before the match

Study visit in Zilina, Slovakia

The Safe Stadium Team performed next study visit (7-9.02.2022).

This time experts analysed CBRN safety of MSK Zilina stadium located in Zilina, Slovakia.

The visit covered interviews with the stadium security officers, participation in pre-match security briefing, analysis of the stadium physical security solution and observation of implemented security procedures before, during and after match.

Study visits are part of Safe Stadium activity (Work Package 2) which focus on Research & Analysis and more concretely on good practices identification, vulnerability and risk assessment. The activity cover survey with stadium employees form EU countries, analysis and selection of good practices within desk study research, elaboration of sample CBRN scenarios and performing study visit at sport facilities (e.g. football stadiums, multipurpose arenas). Next study visits will be organized in Match and April at Atlas Arena and Motocross Arena in Poland and Real Madrid in Spain.

PS: the visit at stadium was organized during UEFA Youth League match MSK Zilina U-19 vs Inter Milan U-19. The score of the match was 3 – 1 for MSK Zilina.
Safe Stadium team congratulate the winning team!

Study visit in Lodz, Poland

From 4th to 6th November 2021 the Safe Stadium consortium organized a study visit in Lodz, Poland. The meeting covered visit at the Prevention Branch of Police in Lodz and at two City Stadiums.
The visit started at Police facilities, where project partners were informed about day-to-day work of local Police officers, legal and operational challenges they face, eqiupment thay use daily and theirs experiences maintaing order and safety during mass events, also at sport facilities.
Then the experts moved to two City Stadiums where sites visitsand interwievs with stadiums security officers and management were conducted. The visit focused on the structure of stadium buildings, location of security services, and their skills (dynamic observation, incidents detection etc.), location and quality of CCTV, clients’ behaviour, crowd dynamics at the facilities and relevant operational and emergency plans and procedures.
The event was combined with project press conference.
Next study visit will be organized in MSK Zilina at Slovakia (02.2022) and Real Madrid in Spain (03.2022).