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EU CBRN CoE Project 14 'Provision of specialized and technical training to enhance the First Response Capabilities: CBRN FRstCap'

Turin -

 


 

Funded by the European Union

Within the framework of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Initiative, a two step training course for first responders law enforcement, fire and rescue services, and emergency medical services) to CBRN incidents was carried out during March and April 2015. The first part of the course took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10-12 March and the second part of the course took place in Belgrade, Serbia on 21 - 23 April.

The EU CBRN CoE initiative aims at strengthening regional security by sharing good practices and capabilities, developing guidelines as well as identifying and deploying resources to respond to the needs identified by partner countries.

The two step training course was organized as part of EU CBRN CoE Project 14 “Provision of specialized and technical training to enhance the first response capabilities – CBRN FRstCap,” which is implemented by the European CBRNE Centre at Umeå University, Sweden, with the assistance of Swedish Defense Research Agency, FOI.

A total of 40 participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Serbia took part in the course which included modules focused on: CBRN substances, civil emergency planning, and both the identification and management of CBRN incident scenes, in addition to simulation exercises based on possible CBRN incident scenarios.

In addition to the first responder training course, a study visit was organized for National Experts from the target countries. The meeting took place on 7-8 May in Stockholm, Sweden, and included presentations by Swedish authorities and organizations involved in CBRN preparedness and response, for instance the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. The participants also received a guided tour of an emergency hospital, Södersjukhuset, which has specialized CBRN expertise.

The objective of Project 14 is to support the countries in developing a more effective and expeditious response to CBRN threats and promoting a common regional approach to CBRN first response. It entails the enhancement and standardization of knowledge and expertise of national agencies engaged in responding to incidents involving CBRN materials. Based on an assessment of capacities and needs of the targeted countries, the project initiated the design of this training course for the three branches of first responders: law enforcement, fire and rescue services, and emergency medical services.


The EU CBRN CoE Initiative is funded by the European Commission and implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). The European External Action Service is also involved in the follow-up of the initiative. The initiative is developed with the technical support of relevant international and regional organisations, the EU Member States and other stakeholders, through coherent and effective cooperation at the national, regional and international level. The initiative involves 51 countries in 8 regions of the world.

For more information:

- CBRN Centres of Excellence website: http://www.cbrn-coe.eu/

- European Commission, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace website (see section about "Stable Situations"):http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/node/7350