In May 2015, on the occasion of the Expo, a new management model for large Italian stations was adopted at Milano Centrale, which was subsequently extended, in various forms, to Roma Termini, Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Napoli Centrale: a technical and management solution aimed at increasing traveller safety, combating theft in stations and petty crime in general, while respecting the buildings' architectural and monumental constraints.

The new Gate project was created with the aim of overcoming the elements of degradation typical of Large Stations by separating, by means of access gates to the platforms, the commercial area of the station from the train arrival/departure area, for the transit of travellers with regular tickets only, as provided for by specific Regulations, published online and posted in the stations. Access is managed through gates manned by Company Protection Department personnel.

The staff are responsible for checking the validity of tickets, but also for identifying possible critical issues for the safety of travellers and users of large stations. The training of passenger flow staff focuses on managing large crowds and emergency situations. Personnel are also qualified to use defibrillators and carry out first aid, including paediatric first aid, so they can take action if needed.

Rfi’s Company Protection Department currently employs more than 400 people in charge of security, with operational, managerial, technical and legal duties. The staff are located in 13 Local Officers and, coordinated by the Head Office, carry out constant management and monitoring of strategic assets, in collaboration with the Public Security Authorities, as well as the management of passenger flows at Large Stations. Any real or potential risk situations detected in the area are promptly communicated to the Security Situation Room, which manages the flow of information, verifies and coordinates the various sources, and if necessary, involves Management and/or External Bodies.

The staff are carefully selected based on the following criteria:

• reliability and confidentiality;
• attention to rules;
• ability to adapt and provide a flexible response also to frequent changes in operational scenario;
• aptitude for teamwork and ability to share objectives;
• aptitude for interpersonal relations.

In addition to the basic elements of railway traffic, maintenance and ticketing systems, the staff are also trained in the following subjects in order to start working in security:

• scenarios, foundations and legal framework of reference for industrial security;
• security management and operating tools;
• interpersonal behaviour and communication;
• first aid, use of defibrillators (BLSD) and airway obstruction manoeuvres, including for paediatric patients.
• personal defence.

We are particularly present in the larger stations, where there are more commercial spaces and areas open to the public, especially during periods when there is a greater influx of travellers: the summer exodus, major events and sporting events, etc.

We have adopted integrated security systems for the surveillance of stations, tunnel entrances, electrical substations and other spaces. A series of measures that today safeguard almost 250 company assets:

• passive security measures: fencing, reinforcement and armouring of fixtures and accesses;
• active security measures: video surveillance, intrusion detection and access control systems.

Particularly noteworthy is the new video surveillance system being installed at Roma Termini Station, comprising almost 240 cameras (over 120 of which are already in operation) to monitor sensitive areas, where there is a higher concentration of customers, and the new protected railway area access points.