CBRN defense
Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense or Nuclear, biological, and chemical protection is a class of protective measures taken in situations where chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear hazards may be present. CBRN defense consists of CBRN passive protection, over-pressure suits, contamination avoidance, and weapons of mass destruction mitigation.
A CBRN incident differs from a hazardous material incident in both scope and intent. CBRN incidents are responded to under the assumption that they are intentional and malicious; evidence preservation and perpetrator apprehension are of greater concern than with Hazmat team incidents.
An overpressure system consists of two parts, which is a safe area which as far as possible is sealed from possible contaminated air and an air filtration system which will filter out all possible toxins. Air pumps force clean air through the filters into the safe area such that the air pressure within the safe area will always be higher than that outside of the safe area. This pressure differential means that any flows of air will always be from the safe area to the outside, preventing the ingress of toxins. It is similar to a civilian or medical use of a positive pressure room and positive pressure personnel suits.
Collective protection is used for group protection of personnel in a nuclear, biological or chemical event. Collective protection is an important aspect of fixed site defense. Ideally, it provides a contaminate free environment for people, allowing relief from the continuous wearing of gas masks and other Mission Oriented Protective Posture equipment.
The basic concept applied for collective protection is overpressure and filtration. By filtering the incoming air to the shelter or protected space and maintaining higher internal air pressure than the external pressure, the contaminated external air is prevented from infiltrating the shelter or protected space and results in a toxic free area for work and relief from wearing MOPP equipment.
The most critical component of any collective protection area is the air filtration system. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has published stringent standards for the construction and performance of this type of equipment.
A 2011 forecast concluded that worldwide government spending on CBRN defense products and services would reach US$8.38 billion that year.
Etymology
In English, the 1990s term CBRN was created as a replacement for the 1960s–1980s term NBC, which had previously replaced the earlier 1950s term ABC. The addition of the R is a consequence of the "new" threat of a radiological weapon. In the 2000s, the term CBRNE was introduced as an extension of CBRN, the inclusion of the E is for the enhanced explosives threat.In Spanish the term NRBQ has replaced NBQ.
By country or region
Argentina
The Argentine Armed Forces has the Batallón de Ingenieros QBN 601 of the Argentine Army, was the first CRBN response team created, in the 1990s, as a part of the country's Rapid Deployment Force. The Policía Federal Argentina have the Brigada de Riesgos Especiales, this unit is the only national response for CBRN/HAZMAT incidents. Also, has three units called Riesgo Quimico y Biológico, Riesgo Radiológico y Nuclear, and the tactical response unit called Protección QBNR.Australia
The Special Operations Engineer Regiment is a specialised unit of the Australian Army. The regiment forms part of the Special Operations Command. The unit was formed in 2002 as the Incident Response Regiment. It includes a counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or Explosive capability.Brazil
Brazilian firefighters are trained for NBC situations. During the 2016 Summer Olympics, police forces like the GATE from São Paulo, the Federal Police, and the National Public Security Force were prepared.In the military, there is CBRN equipment and personnel in all branches of the Armed Forces. The Brazilian Army has two specific teams: the , which is based in Rio de Janeiro and is responsible for decontaminating military equipment, weapons, and personnel, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company, based at Goiânia and part of the Brazilian Special Operations Command, that makes the decontamination and defense in CBRN situations. The Brazilian Presidential Guard and Army Police also have CBRN units.
The Brazilian Marine Corps has the CDefNBQR that controls the ARAMAR Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Defense Battalion, at Iperó, São Paulo, conceived to provide physical security and to perform CBRN emergencies control actions at the Centro Experimental Aramar, responsible for developing Brazilian Navy nuclear researches; the Itaguaí Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Defense Battalion, at Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro, which is to be the host of the first Brazilian Navy nuclear-powered submarine; and the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Defense Company, at Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. The Air Force is making special teams for transporting victims from CBRN attacks/accidents.
Canada
The term CBRN is in common use in disaster and emergency services organizations across the country. Since July 2005, the Canadian Armed Forces also started using the term CBRN Defence, instead of NBC Defence, due to the increased threat of dirty bomb use. CBRNE is a new term that is being used in both civilian and military organizations. The Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit is a Canadian Forces unit, under the direction of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, charged with supporting "the Government of Canada in order to prevent, control and mitigate CBRN threats to Canada, Canadians and Canadian interests."All members of the Canadian Armed Forces are trained in CBRNE defense and maintain minimum standards, tested at least every three years.
At the provincial level, cities are provided opportunities for emergency services with CBRN training. In Ontario, emergency services in Windsor, Peterborough, Toronto, and Ottawa have obtained CBRN standing at NFPA Standard 472 Level 3 Technician level.
European Union
In mid-July 2016, the European Parliament negotiated a new draft counterterrorism directive aimed at protecting Europe's people from biological, chemical and other attacks. The timeline of the directive is illustrated in the following table:| Date or target date | Action |
| 4 July 2016 | The European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee approved amendments to its directive counter-terrorism. |
| 14 July 2016 | Negotiations began. Monika Hohlmeier, the chief negotiator for the European Parliament, is charged with negotiating the final text of the directive with the European Council. The European Commission will serve as a facilitator in the negotiations. |
| Autumn 2016 | Negotiations are expected to be concluded. |
The directive would criminalize:
- Certain acts related to preparing for a terrorist attack, such as traveling abroad to meet with a terrorist group
- Training to make explosives, firearms, and other dangerous substances
- Public incitement or praise for terrorism and financing of terrorism
Hong Kong
has had CBRN response capabilities since the early 1990s and advanced training from 1998. The Standing CBRN Planning Group plans for all CBRN incidents in Hong Kong. The SRPG was set up with the support of the Secretary for Security by the Senior Bomb Disposal Officer in Hong Kong, Dominic Brittain. It consists of representatives from 9 government departments who plan the response to CBRN threats. These departments include Police EOD, Fire Services, the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health, amongst others. The operational arm of the SRPG is the CBRN Incident Advisory Group form in the initial stages of a CBRN incident using telephone conferencing. RIAG consists of five experts who assist with the technical response to the incident by providing real-time advice and support to the departments involved. The Hong Kong capability is well rehearsed, with regular departmental exercises conducted and a full-scale CBRN exercise conducted every year.Ukraine
During the full-scale war launched by Russia, the issue of CBRN protection for Ukraine has become particularly urgent. CBRN protection is of crucial importance for the safety of military personnel and the civilian population. The Ukrainian military has faced real threats from the use of chemical weapons, as well as risks associated with radiation contamination from Russian-occupied nuclear power plants.Ukraine is actively working to improve its defense capabilities in the field of . This includes:
Modernization of equipment: The Ukrainian Defense Forces are receiving modern personal protective equipment, as well as devices for radiation and chemical reconnaissance. The company "" is actively involved in this process, supplying certified gas masks that meet NATO standards, both for military and civilian needs.
Military training: Military personnel undergo specialized training in the use of CBRN protection equipment, proper behavior in conditions of chemical or radiation contamination, as well as first aid.
International cooperation: Ukraine closely cooperates with NATO and EU countries to exchange experience and receive technical assistance. This cooperation is critically important for strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Thus, Ukraine is one of the countries where CBRN protection is considered a key element of national security, which is confirmed by its efforts to increase preparedness for possible threats, as well as the active participation of Ukrainian companies such as "".