The Joint CBRN Defence Hosts an International Audience for the CBRN Awareness for First Responders Course
In September 2024, the JCBRN Defence COE, in cooperation with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism, hosted a week-long course aimed at raising student awareness of how to better contend with CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) incidents. The course brought together a combined 21 civilian and military first responders from four of the Middle East and North African (MENA) nations, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar and Tunisia. This diverse group engaged in a collaborative learning environment designed to enhance their collective knowledge and skills in responding to these threats.
The primary objective of the course was to ensure that all participants, regardless of their national background or professional role, shared a common knowledge base and minimum level of preparedness for dealing with CBRN incidents. All lessons were taught in English with simultaneous translation into Arabic.
As designed, this training not only set to improve the immediate readiness of individual first responders, but also provided these individuals with the knowledge needed to help improve national civil emergency plans. By fostering cooperation between countries, the course was an important step in strengthening NATO partner CBRN response capabilities.
The course covered a wide range of topics related to CBRN preparedness. It began with a detailed introduction to CBRN threats, focusing on the global landscape of terrorism and the risks posed by these materials. This section provided a context for understanding the nature of these threats and their potential impact on civilians, military personnel and infrastructure. Participants also explored strategies for dealing with the wider consequences of CBRN events; large public events, such as sporting events or political summits, can be particularly vulnerable to CBRN threats. The course covered strategies for managing risk in such settings, ensuring that security and emergency response measures are robust and adaptable. A significant portion of the training was dedicated to syndicate work, allowing participants to work in small groups to provide solutions on how to approach complex CBRN incident response scenarios. These exercises allowed them to apply their newly acquired skills in a controlled, realistic environment, fostering teamwork and problem-solving under pressure.
Working in syndicates encouraged participants from different countries and professional backgrounds to work together, building strong networks and improving cross-border coordination for future responses to CBRN incidents.
One of the key achievements of the course was the promotion of international cooperation. Participants from four different countries had the opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices and build relationships that will enhance their ability to work together in future emergencies.
This was the second year that the JCBRN Defence COE conducted this course, specifically designed for MENA nations, each at the request of NATO’s Counter Terrorism Section. Successful completion of this course represented another step forward in ensuring that first responders from the MENA nations are well prepared to deal with complex terrorism-related CBRN incidents. By providing this training, the JCBRN Defence COE successfully increased the participants' skills and level of preparedness. The course not only improved individual capabilities, but also enhanced international cooperation and laid the foundation for a more coordinated and effective global response to CBRN threats.
Author: Education, Training and Evaluation Department
