After the debacle with the alleged bomb threat: officials now have to practice evacuating the Federal Palace

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Bomb alarm around the Federal Palace! The mentally ill Philipp Z.* tried to gain entry last February and a rapid explosives test came back positive. He had previously parked his car in the middle of Bundesplatz. Parliamentarians and federal councilors were chased from the building. A bomb squad arrived and the area was cordoned off.

But something went wrong during the evacuation. Politicians had to go through the security gate at the southern entrance one by one. “We must re-check the evacuation arrangements in the Federal Palace,” FDP State Councilor Andrea Caroni (43) said at the time. “If something had happened, the building would probably have collapsed on top of us, just as slowly as we did.”

Various evacuation exercises in preparation

Afterwards, the parliamentarians stood behind the Federal Palace like an unguarded flock of sheep. If anyone had actually wanted to carry out an attack, the representatives would have been an easy target. And: The then President of the Council of States, Brigitte Häberli-Koller (65, center) was completely forgotten in the building.

But now everything should get better. To increase security in and around the Federal Palace, the parliamentary services, together with the Federal Police Office (Fedpol), are planning various evacuation exercises. The administrative delegation has already given the green light for two exercises this year. This is evident from an email to selected circles.

One exercise should take place during normal operations, the other during sessions when all politicians are gathered in the Federal Palace, continues the letter, which is available to Blick. And: The first exercise should take place this week. Research shows that this will probably be the case on Wednesday.

Drawing lessons from incidents

For a later exercise called ‘Chiron’, the responsible authorities are even said to be looking for volunteer civil servants to serve as extras in the parliament building. When asked, the parliamentary services would neither confirm nor deny the exercises.

According to parliamentary circles, no such security exercises have taken place so far. The harsh criticism after the bomb threat last February shows “that it is urgently needed”.

The former president of the Council of States also demanded a report from Fedpol and parliamentary services after the evacuation debacle. The goal is to handle the incident as quickly as possible and take action if necessary. Fortunately, there was no actual threat, “but we have to learn lessons from the case.”

Emergency app provides support

The letter also refers to the emergency information app, which can be quickly installed on the smartphone. It is intended to provide civil servants and parliamentarians with clear instructions about their behavior during events.

There are specific instructions on the subject of evacuation: When the alarm sounds, all windows must be closed and valuables and secret documents must be kept under lock and key. Finally, you immediately leave the building via the marked escape routes and go to one of the three designated meeting points.

* Name changed

Source:Blick