A cbrn is any hazardous substance that is chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear. It may be released accidentally or intentionally, such as a tainted food product, technological failure, or natural disaster. Intentional releases may include criminal acts such as terrorist activities or deliberate dumping of toxic industrial chemicals.
The threat to our societies from a CBRN attack is complex and varied, ranging from the accidental release of chemical or biological agents to the intentional use of WMDs by terrorists to disrupt society and destabilize states in the region or globally. This complexity is compounded by the fact that proliferation of both the material and delivery systems of WMD is facilitated by global supply chains, open access to dual-use equipment and materials, and the proliferation of expertise through the Internet.
Consequently, the defence against CBRN threats must involve more than just NATO’s military capabilities. It must also include the Alliance’s extensive portfolio of education, training, exercises and technical support for Allies and authorized partners in a coordinated manner.
This includes the Combined Joint CBRN Defence Task Force (CJ-CBRND-TF), which is designed to perform the full range of military CBRN defence missions, as well as the Alliance’s comprehensive and diverse dismounted reconnaissance and site assessment capability, known as the NATO CBRN Reachback Element (CBRN RBE). The capabilities provided by this broad portfolio of NATO assets are augmented by specialized fire and rescue service crews trained in specialist CBRN response and equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
These capabilities are required to detect, identify and mitigate the effects of any suspected incident. They are complemented by a network of support centres which are capable of providing intelligence, information management and incident coordination, as well as the medical and decontamination services needed to protect affected civilians and to provide them with emergency treatment.
The effectiveness of an organisation’s CBRN response depends on the nature of the agent, its physical and chemical properties, its mode of action, its persistence in the environment and, most importantly, its transmissibility. These properties can determine how harmful the substance is and what symptoms a person experiences. In the case of chemical and biological agents, they can affect the respiratory tract (gases or vapours inhaled), the eyes and mucous membranes, the skin, or through cross-contamination or direct contact.
For radiological and nuclear incidents, a network of specialists is needed to respond quickly in order to limit the impact on life and property. These experts can provide support by providing medical care, decontamination, radiation protection, and specialised cleaning services. They can also act as liaisons with local authorities, media and other organisations to ensure that they are properly informed at all times. They can also assist in the development of the emergency operations plan and provide advice to communities impacted by an incident. Lastly, they can help to establish and maintain the necessary command and control arrangements during an event and to ensure that personnel are appropriately trained and equipped.