Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Resilience
Equipping and training the emergency services
The Home Office and our partners across government ensure that the emergency services have the best equipment and training for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.
Much of the equipment and training is similar to that used during HAZMAT incidents (accidental release of hazardous materials). Additional investment made for CBRN purposes has had a side-effect of strengthened the emergency services response to HAZMAT incidents.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
The following has already been done:
- every acute hospital and ambulance service has been equipped with standardised PPE
- 7,250 personal protection suits have been distributed to key health workers, with a further 2,500 protective suits stockpiled
- 4,400 new gas tight suits – a doubling of previous capacity – have been purchased for the fire service to enable firefighters to decontaminate safely and to effect rescues
- bespoke personal protective equipment (CR1) has been provided for police forces
All three emergency services have officers equipped and trained in the use of PPE. These suits allow them to work at incidents where CBRN material has been released.
The CR1 suit is being rolled out to CBRN-trained police officers. The CR1 was jointly developed with the fire service, and is the first PPE developed to meet the civilian requirement of the Police and Fire Service.
The bespoke CR1 allows police to use equipment designed for CBRN incidents. Previously police used the best PPE available, which was based on the military Mark IV suit.
Training
To build essential expertise for working at CBRN incidents, training is provided for emergency service personnel at the Police National CBRN Centre and the Fire Service College. Training and guidance for government staff and public service staff is provided by the Emergency Planning College.
The Police National CBRN Centre
The Police National CBRN Centre (PN-CBRN-C) was established in October 2001 on the MoD’s Winterbourne Gunner site. It provides high quality training and support in CBRN response.
By April 2005, more than 7 000 UK police officers had been trained at the centre and equipped to deal with CBRN incidents.
Aims of the centre
The centre aims to ensure officers have the necessary skills and equipment to respond effectively to CBRN incidents.
It also provides:
- strategy and training
- research and development advice
- equipment procurement process.
The centre's training is current, appropriate and professionally presented. It achieves this by:
- developing the personal skills, abilities and qualities of both its staff and students
- providing advice and guidance on all police CBRN issues and related operational policing matters
- identifying, collating and disseminating information and guidelines
- developing doctrine, protocols and procedures for police dealing with CBRN incidents
