Everyday Safety: How the Bocconi System Works

On 28 April, on the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Bocconi University will carry out a general evacuation drill involving the entire campus. This is not a symbolic exercise, but one of the key moments for testing a system designed to function every day, both under ordinary and extraordinary conditions.

An Integrated System, Functioning Every Day

Safety at Bocconi is the result of a structured organization that integrates infrastructure, technology and people. At its core is the control room, which continuously monitors indoor and outdoor spaces through a system of over 800 cameras and dedicated operators responsible for surveillance and response. This is complemented by an on-campus healthcare service, including an infirmary open on weekdays, first responders and a daily medical service.

"Safety is not a set of abstract rules, but a concrete system that must function every day," emphasizes Riccardo Taranto, Bocconi’s Managing Director. "This is why we invest in infrastructure, training and technology, but above all we work to ensure the entire community is aware of their role."

Prevention and Response: Four Interconnected Levels

In the areas of prevention and emergency management, the model is based on multiple levels that must operate in a coordinated manner: prevention, protection, emergency response and individual behavior. Technical safeguards are deployed throughout the campus, including fire detection systems, alarms, fire suppression systems and compartmentation measures, supported by an extensive network of operational devices. Over 1,800 fire extinguishers, hundreds of hydrants and hose reels (active fire protection devices), more than 12,000 smoke detectors and comprehensive signage contribute to making the routes and required actions immediately recognizable.

Clear Roles and Ongoing Training

This framework is supported by a well-defined allocation of responsibilities. Emergency plans developed for each building establish roles, procedures and response methods for a range of scenarios, from fires and medical emergencies to more complex events. Dedicated teams — comprising over 100 individuals, including first aid officers, fire prevention officers, evacuation officers and defibrillator operators — are trained and regularly drilled to operate in a coordinated manner.

The Evacuation Drill as a Real Test

The evacuation drill on 28 April is part of this framework: it is an operational tool to test the effectiveness of the procedures and the response capacity of the entire University community. The system relies on a balance between technology and behavior, and every component must be prepared and aligned.

Clear Information, Immediate Action

Particular attention is also given to the dissemination of information. Tools such as the "Emergency Quick Card," distributed in all classrooms, clearly summarize what to do in the event of an emergency: from the numbers to call — 2121, a dedicated number to contact the control room directly or 3015 to speak with the infirmary — to evacuation procedures, which are activated only upon explicit instruction via voice announcements or by first response teams.

Strengthening the Healthcare Response on Campus

In terms of emergency healthcare response, the campus is equipped with a structured first-response system that integrates facilities, staff and widely distributed resources. An on-campus infirmary is in operation with first responders present on weekdays, complemented by a daily medical service — the "on-campus doctor" — managed by Humanitas Medical Care, ensuring healthcare assistance directly at the University. This is further supported by a dedicated ambulance, ready to respond when needed.

Within this network, the campus already has 10 defibrillators distributed across its main buildings. This provision will be further enhanced by an additional device, which will be installed at 9am on 28 April thanks to a donation from Rotaract Milano Nord Est Brera, further strengthening immediate response capacity.

An Invisible but Essential Infrastructure

"The goal is not to create alarm, but to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do," adds Taranto. "Effective safety is the kind you don't notice, because it works. And when needed, it must be immediate, recognizable and reliable."

In a complex setting such as an international university campus, where thousands of people circulate every day, safety translates into essential, reliable infrastructure. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April brings it into focus, showing how, behind procedures and numbers, a system is in place to protect people, spaces and activities, without disrupting them.