The Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) in Vyškov, Czech Republic, along with the Fire Protection and Training Centre Brno, hosted the "International CBRN Preparedness and Consequence Management for First Responders Course" from April 24th to April 28th, 2023. Organized in close cooperation with NATO's Defence Policy and Planning Division, the event drew 25 military and civilian participants representing ten nations, including Ukraine, showcasing the importance of international collaboration in this critical field.

The training provided comprehensive coverage of various aspects, such as civil-military interaction, preparedness, detection, response, decontamination, and the security context. This five-day course aimed to enhance the participants' understanding and preparedness in dealing with CBRN incidents. Emphasis was placed on the operational implications of civil-military cooperation, essential for effective response and mitigation efforts during an incident.

Three days of the course consisted of hands-on training, allowing the course attendees to complete response exercises to a simulated CBRN incident. This part of the course was taught at the Fire Protection and Training Centre Brno. These exercises allowed the participants to apply their knowledge and skills in responding to chemical, radiological, and biological incidents, underlining the importance of practical experience in this area. The diverse backgrounds of the attendees and their shared commitment to CBRN preparedness demonstrate the global importance of such training opportunities and the need for continued collaboration between nations.

For additional information on courses organized by the JCBRN Defence COE, please visit our Training Portal (https://www.jcbrncoe.org/index.php/courses-link-page).

Authors and photo: MAJ František PAVLÁSEK (CZE-A), WO Roman SCHINDLER (CZE-A)