28 Jan. 2004

Protecting populations against weapons of mass destruction News 26/11/2003 - NATO Launch of NATO Multinational CBRN Defence Battalion Multimedia Photos of the Multinational CBRN Defence Battalion 03/12/2003 - Czech Rep. High resolution photos of the standup activities of the CBRN Defence Battalion in Liberac, Czech Republic Background Introduction to the problems related to Weapons of Mass Destruction Over 100 experts have gathered in Trondheim, Norway, 28-30 January, to discuss new minimum standards for protection of civilian populations against weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This anti-terrorism conference is developing non-binding guidelines and minimum standards for protection of civilian populations against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks. It will also focus on what currently limits countries in adopting the minimum standards, as well as cross-border assistance after a WMD attack. The Norwegian civil emergency authorities have produced, in cooperation with Sweden and Finland, new guidelines requested by NATO, that will also be discussed by the participants. There will be a special focus on the first response after a potential attack that would involve the fire brigade, police force and ambulance services. The participants, who are from NATO and partner countries, are experts in civil emergency planning, CBRN and first response to emergencies. The conference itself is a key element of the Civil Emergency Action Plan for the Improvement of Civil Preparedness for Possible Attacks against the Civilian Population with Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear agents, to which Heads of State and Government committed themselves at the Prague Summit in November 2002.