The CBRN CoE Project 34 (Strengthening capacities in CBRN event response and related medical emergency response under strengthened CBRN event preparedness) represents an example of international cooperation to fight against CBRN risks. It will raise the safety and security of citizens in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon from chemical risks and accidents.
The overall goal of the CBRN CoE initiative is to improve the preparedness and response capacity of countries to deal with potential threats posed by the use of chemical, biological and radioactive materials. Within the Centres of Excellence initiative, the EU uses a new approach to provide funding for projects. In fact, the CoE projects are based on the needs identified by the partner countries themselves. This project aims to elaborate a series of enhancements in CBRN risk mitigation in the partner's countries in the Middle East (Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon) by the means of the execution of targeted work packages to address certain national needs.
The work packages are as follows:
WP1 – Knowledge development and transfer of best practice on inter-agency CBRN response (FORMIT Fondazione).
Main WP aims are:
Collect, Analyse and Identify "transferable best practices and main criticalities in CBRN response". Identify and Select National Experts from countries in the region so to create an "Expert Team to share lessons learnt and best practices on inter-agency CBRN response". Develop and implement a "Regional training/mentoring Service to train the national experts of the Expert Team on interagency response operations, and support and assist the establishment of a planning forum for CBRN response"
WP2 – Awareness, risk assessment, import/export monitoring and management of hazardous chemical agents, their precursors and chemical weapons (ICIS).
Main WP aims are:
Train on hazardous chemical agents (including warfare) and provide Technical support for the risk assessment of chemicals. Organize seminar on standard procedures for traceability and comprehensive management of chemical substances with the aim to support the national experts in creating an inventory of hazardous chemical agents (electronic database) and of their chemical industries, establishing adequate scientific, technical and regulatory tools available for the management of potential environmental and health incidents.
WP3 – Capacity building of national HAZMAT teams in emergency preparedness and response to CBRN incidents (FIIAPP).
Main WP aims are:
Improve the efficiency of First Responders in emergency preparedness and response to CBRN incidents. Increase the capacity of national HAZMAT teams in handling CBRN emergencies. Expand national HAZMAT teams to cover rural areas, cities as well as high-risk locations (such as industrial zones and hazardous material storage facilities). Improvement of the technical capabilities of national HAZMAT teams through the provision of technical equipment. Identify, analyse and assess needs and gaps in the CBRN field. Participate and promoting the drafting of a CBRN National Action Plan and Response Structure. Dissemination and collecting relevant information among stakeholders. Coordinating CBRN initiatives and practices in region.
WP4 – Strengthening capacities of the emergency medical service (EMS) in preparedness and response to CBRN incidents (MIHE).
Main WP aims are:
Gather and analyse best practices and lesson learnt within the specific category of medical services through the direct involvement of national facilities and organisations operating as first responders in case of CBRN incidents, and through the consideration of international practices. Based on findings from the semi structured interviews collected during the previous phase and taking into consideration needs and requirements emerged, For each partner country, an evaluation on existing strength and weakness will be elaborated. Several topics will lead discussion with local stakeholders so to assess current relevant medical and scientific guidelines, procedures and curricula in place in each participating country.
WP5 – Enhancing on-site chemical agent (hazardous chemical agents, their precursors and chemical weapons) detection, sampling, sample handling and analysis capabilities (MICHR).
Main WP aims are:
Develop of a training curriculum and guidelines on the use of chemical agent detectors (hand held and fixed on-site equipment) for first responders. Within project’s aim will be increased the capacity of first responders teams in terms of chemical reconnaissance, sampling sample handling and treatment, as well as decontamination and management of hazardous waste, basing on local existing solutions.
Collect data essential to assessment of the situation and preparing optimal methods of training in chemical agent detectors operation and use.
Develop of training curriculum and guidelines on chemical agent sampling and sample handling for first responders.