The network of quick responders has been implemented since April 2017 and gives members of the UIC Security Platform the possibility to exchange information quickly about arising security questions. Since its start, members have used the network 12 times already to ask their questions regarding:
Awareness of radicalised employees; Use of air drones; Attacks related to religious extremism; Attacks against maintenance staff; Anti-smoking policy at railway stations; Security of women in railway transport; Use of FFCCTV; Aggression against ticket inspectors; Mystery Customer; Use of AEDs; Use of body cameras; Security Organisation; CBRN; GDPR (in evaluation).
The survey on body cameras was carried out together with UITP. Next to the safety and security of our passengers, the health of our staff is essential. Unfortunately, in recent years, physical and verbal aggressions against railway staff have increased. In addition to training and self-protection equipment, the use of body cameras could have a de-escalating effect or record video images for investigations.
33 companies participated and answered questions inter alia regarding use, different types of body cameras, the equipped staff, visibility, data transmission, the procedure to use a body camera in case of third-party violence/aggression and data protection. According to member experience, the use of body cameras has a de-escalating effect and physical as well as verbal aggressions decreased.
In the light of the strong demand by responders, the UIC Security Division continued to work on the topic with interested responders in cooperation with UITP. As a first action, a webinar was organised on 13 December 2018 to present the survey results to over 35 participants.
In a second step, and to deepen the exchange as well as to discuss various aspects, a one-day workshop was held on 27 February in cooperation with UITP. Among over 20 participants from DB AG, EUSKOTREN, ÖBB, NS NL, SJ, Slovenske železnice, d.o.o., SNCF, STIB, Transdev, Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG and UITP, the knowledge and experience about different camera types and functions, visibility, pilot set up and evaluation, equipped employee groups, impact assessment, data transmission, involvement of trade unions, experiences, and drawbacks / difficulties were shared. The workshop was completed by the body camera expert Sanders Flight, who has a great and extensive expertise about the use of body cameras for police forces.
The workshop was very comprehensive and sufficient, so that no further actions are required by the participants for the moment.
Further forthcoming security events are as follows:
- 13 March 2019: WG Human Factors (Moscow) – for further information please contact Virginie Papillault (papillault at uic.org)
- 25 March 2019: Workshop on rail suicide and trespass prevention (Paris). Only a few seats left. For further information and registration, please use the following link: https://events.uic.org/workshop-on-rail-suicide-and-trespass-prevention
- 28 March 2019: WG Sabotage, Intrusions and attacks (Berlin) – for further information please contact Kathrin Faber (faber@uic)
- 18 – 20 June 2019: 5th UIC Security Week (Paris) – Further information is available at: https://events.uic.org/uic-security-week-2019
- 20 – 22 November 2019: 15th UIC World Security Congress (Prague)
