Europol provides training on response to radiological incidents and emergencies

On 17-20 November 2015, Europol, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), conducted an intensive operational training in Świerk (Warsaw area), Poland. The training course was supported by the Polish Police and the Polish National Centre for the Nuclear Research. The course was attended by more than 20 CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) experts and first responders coming from the civil and military services from 14 European Union Member States, Moldova and Ukraine. This active network of the CBRN experts has been created and maintained by Europol under the umbrella of the European Union CBRN Action Plan. The training has been a direct result of the increasing cooperation between Europol and the IAEA on radiological and nuclear security and safety issues. It is also in line with the new approach of the European Commission to detect and mitigate CBRN risks.

The overall goal of the training course was to improve the preparedness of the CBRN experts and first responders to effectively react to incidents and emergencies involving radiological and nuclear materials. Participants were able to identify good practices and problems to be expected when responding to radiological incidents and emergencies in their countries. All participants have recognised that the global nature of the radiological and nuclear threat requires a coordinated international response. The training programme included lectures, practical field exercises and case studies. The location of the training at the facilities of the Polish National Centre for the Nuclear Research gave the participants a unique opportunity to visit the nuclear reactor Maria.

Europol and the International Atomic Energy Agency will continue to work together to mitigate the radiological and nuclear threats, identifying and improving technical knowledge, procedures as well as possible new training requirements.