Additional information about the Vigipirate national security alert system and its implementation on campus

Following an increase in serious incidents in France, the French Prime Minister has decided to raise the Vigipirate national security alert system to the level Urgence attentat ("Attack emergency") for the whole country. The senior management has adapted procedures at the Institut Pasteur accordingly, and you were notified of the new campus access regulations in recent messages from the PBRP Committee (find out more).

The Security Department would like to provide you with some additional information about the Vigipirate national security alert system and how it is being implemented on campus.
 

1. What are the aims of the Vigipirate national security alert system? 

The Vigipirate system has two main aims:

-  To foster a sense of vigilance and security among society at large, so as to help prevent or identify any threats as far in advance as possible;

-  To provide constant protection at an appropriate level for France, its citizens and its interests.

The Vigipirate levels
The various levels applicable in France are outlined below.

Depending on the level, the Institut Pasteur adapts campus access procedures and informs staff of any changes via the newsletter or by email.

These measures are not exhaustive; they may involve the number of campus access points open at any given time, campus opening times, the types of checks carried out, etc.

 

2. Sheltering in an appropriate place

The first rule in the event of a malicious act is to protect yourself by sheltering.

The Institut Pasteur alerts staff via the national warning siren. This alarm is tested on the first Wednesday of each month to make sure that it is in good working order and to familiarize you with what it sounds like.

The procedures that should be applied on campus if the siren is sounded are outlined below:

The siren and applicable procedures in the event of a malicious act are the same as those for a biological risk.

We would draw your attention to the difference between the two sirens that you will hear on campus:

 

3. Sheltering at the Institut Pasteur

Several suitable shelter points have been identified* by the Security Department. These premises are identified with the following notice:

They are usually meeting or training rooms or classrooms.

If the emergency services need to intervene, this list will show them where they need to go first.

If you are unable to reach an identified shelter point, we would ask you to remain in your offices.

*Please contact surete@pasteur.fr if you are aware of other premises that would serve as suitable shelter points.

4. "Emergency guidelines" notice

All the emergency guidelines applicable to the Institut Pasteur are displayed in every building, on each floor. 

The priority for us all is to protect ourselves individually and also to protect our colleagues and the Institut Pasteur's interests.

We would remind you that in the event of a threat, you can notify the Security Department by contacting menaces@pasteur.fr.

The Security Department would like to thank you for your cooperation.