Second Sight MS Monitoring Chemical Threats During the 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games

This also involves an in-depth analysis of vulnerabilities related to infrastructure, logistics, and crowd management. Among the identified risks, the dispersion of chemical gases poses a real danger to individuals and national sovereignty, potentially severely impacting the political and economic stability of the affected countries. In this context, chemical threat detection systems, such as the Second Sight MS camera developed by Bertin Technologies, are essential for monitoring sensitive sites and ensuring a rapid response in the event of a terrorist attack. Therefore, the Central Laboratory of the Prefecture of Police (LCPP) enlisted Bertin Technologies to provide chemical threat detection cameras, Second Sight MS. Easy to deploy, this equipment was used during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as at the Olympic Village and Stade de France.

Second Sight MS is a remote chemical gas detection camera equipped with multispectral infrared technology. This proven solution allows for the detection, visualization and identification of one or more chemical gas clouds in real-time, day and night through an ergonomic human-machine interface. The HMI provides reliable and precise information on the source location, an estimate of contaminated areas, the name of the gas, and an estimation of its surface concentration, thereby facilitating the implementation of appropriate countermeasures.

A comprehensive database is included with the Second Sight MS, containing around fifty chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial compounds (TICs). It also offers a unique ‘gas X’ function for detecting mixed, impure, or unlisted gases. The performance of Second Sight MS has enabled the LCPP to configure them appropriately for the monitored sites.

Due to their international scope, the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games posed significant security challenges for the organizing committee, public authorities, and both law enforcement and private security forces. The implementation of effective security measures, along with the adequate mobilization of human and material resources, contributed to the smooth running of the event.

Second Sight MS, an advanced technology capable of detecting and identifying one or more gas clouds in real time, was deployed on the ground during these games. Easy to use, it represents the perfect solution for monitoring chemical threats at large events and sensitive sites, providing users with the ability to respond quickly and effectively.

This article was originally published in Bertin Technologies website.