South East and Eastern Europe advances medical managements of CBRN emergencies with EU-supported regional training exercise

Medical and paramedical staff may not always have the skills and knowledge to respond to a CBRN event. Whether it is first-line medical and paramedical responders, or second-line hospital emergency staff and emergency medical managers, the personnel responsible for intervening in a CBRN incident lack in many cases the capacities to tackle effectively a CBRN health threat. 

To ensure robust mitigation of such risks, it is crucial that countries enhance specific medical emergency preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring minimization of health consequences and human losses following a CBRN accident.

Simulated responses to various CBRN medical emergency scenarios

In an effort to enhance national preparedness and response capabilities to CBRN incidents, the European Union supported a Regional Table-top Exercise (TTX) on Medical Management of CBRN Emergencies in Batumi, Georgia.

Organised within the framework of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence, the TTX aimed to convene key personnel assigned to public health emergency management roles and responsibilities to simulate responses to various CBRN medical emergency scenarios. It sought to improve regional capabilities and foster cooperation among South East and Eastern Europe partner countries to tackle cross-border threats to health effectively.

A dynamic, realistic learning environment

The two-day workshop (June 18-19) featured plenary presentations and group exercises, co-facilitated by the EU CBRN CoE and the Science & Technology Centre in Ukraine (STCU). The scenario was tailored to incorporate the participants' experience, ensuring a realistic and engaging learning environment.

The exercise was designed for those actively involved in preparedness for public health emergencies or response to infectious disease outbreaks, aiming to enhance understanding and readiness for CBRN health threats. Senior professionals from Ministries of Health, public health institutes, national disease control centers, microbiology laboratories, infectious diseases hospitals, defence authorities, and emergency agencies participated.

The regional table-top exercise underscored the collective commitment to building resilient and coordinated response systems, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities across the South East and Eastern Europe region.

What were the objectives?

• Raise awareness among senior officials regarding the complexities of CBRN events.
• Facilitate policy discussions on appropriate responses to CBRN medical emergencies.
• Discuss medical countermeasures, treatments, and stresses on hospital facilities.
• Address decontamination needs and communication strategies with the public.
• Consider regional and international coordination and implications.
• Identify and review national plans for CBRN medical emergencies and risk communication.

Strengthening CBRN medical preparedness and response in South East and Eastern Europe

The European Union supported the Regional Table-top Exercise on Medical Management of CBRN Emergency in South East and Eastern Europe as part of the EU CBRN CoE Project 88 “Strengthening of CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response Capabilities in South East and Eastern European countries”.

Implemented within the framework of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence, Project 88 aims to strengthen and enhance medical emergency preparedness and response capabilities in the South East and Eastern Europe region to ensure minimization of health consequences and human losses following a CBRN accident and/or emergency. The participating countries include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine.

Funded by the European Union, the 4-year project (May 2021 - May 2025) is implemented by the Science & Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU). STCU supports the promotion of a culture of safety and security, and responsible science by advancing civilian science and technology partnerships addressing CBRN risks.

Read Project 88 factsheet or visit the project website to learn more about the activities implemented and the main achievements.