- Mission leader
- Plt Marco Doimo
- Deputy leader
- Sgtm Vincent Doimo
- Civil protection personnel deployed
- 9
- Maximum number of personnel deployed simultaneously
- 6
- Number of vehicles used
- 2
The construction group was engaged before mobilization for a refresher course from 03.09.2020 to 03.13.2020. On this occasion, “classic” maintenance of the constructions was carried out according to the LCE lists (Construction Control and Maintenance List). On March 17, 2020, the head of construction and his deputy were summoned as part of the mobilization. Was asked to set up eight constructions (Céligny, Conifères, Colombières, PCO and AP Valavran, Valérie, La Tour, Palexpo) so that they were completely operational. Emphasis was placed on heating and hot water circuits.
Faulty water pipes and leaks were reported in various locations (Conifères and PC Valavran) and were changed.
Different missions
As of 20.03.2020, 3 additional civil protection personnel were summoned to complete the missions. Other civil protection personnel were made available for transport.
Between 17.03.2020 and 21.03.2020, was carried out:
- Implementation of a daily monitoring system for humidity and temperature.
- Checking technical installations (ventilation belts, dehumidifiers).
- Creation of lists of emergency numbers for specialized companies and partners.
- Management and repair of defects for all constructions.
- Numerous various cleanings for sanitary issues.
- Make all construction data available to the command, such as the number of available Covid-19 beds in the event of a need to quarantine a large number of people.
During these 5 days, a lot of effort was made to respond immediately to any requests for accommodation.
As of 22.03.2020, another organization was created within the Constructions sector.
Rounds to control everything
For construction maintenance, a patrol system has been put in place to control heating and humidity. First on the eight constructions, then on three from 13.04.2020.
Other work was carried out in parallel. In particular:
- Cleaning of floors in Céligny, place of fallback in case of contamination of the ORPC troop
- Service on VA300 ventilation motors
- Start-up of generators twice a week for one hour in Valavran (PCO) and Conifères in order to clean the systems, check their working condition and detect any faults.
Many administrative tasks were also carried out for other constructions not used as part of the mobilization. At Pregny 21 and La Grande Pierrière, we also had to report bulky items in front of the PCi installations which posed serious access problems and potential fire outbreaks.
Discovery of new features or defects
More generally, the mobilization allowed the Constructions group to notice some new features or defects.
For example, when shelters are unoccupied in normal times, the functionality of the buildings is limited to a minimum (limited heating and ventilation, closed hot water circuit). The challenge was to find the municipal officials to turn on the hot water and check the functionality of the ventilation. The water leaks were unpleasant surprises. For certain constructions, circuits were almost never opened. For example, in Les Conifèress (in Versoix), the hot water circuit for the toilets was functional but not that for the kitchen, connected to boilers located in premises annexed to the construction and closed all year round, when not occupied.
Normally, buildings are on hibernation with a clock-based ventilation system. With the mobilization, all the systems had to be redesigned in parallel with the heating.
We prepare training every year to prepare shelters in times of war. It’s theory, supplemented with concrete examples in the field. This time, the reality of the mobilization made it possible to realize the speed of the set-up time as well as the strong staffing requirements from the start.
