Europe Bolsters CBRN Response: THW, BPOL, BBK Join Forces in rescEU Exercise
The Technical Relief Agency (THW), Federal Police (BPOL), and Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) have joined forces to establish the rescEU CBRN decontamination capacity. This collaborative effort aims to bolster Europe's response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents.
In a recent exercise held in Eisenhüttenstadt, the THW local association Quedlinburg and the Polish State Fire Service (PSP) led deployment forces through three challenging CBRN scenarios. These included a biological incident on a passenger train, securing and sealing a chemical hazard site, and rescuing individuals from a debris field with radioactive release.
The THW Regional Association Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt also practiced vehicle decontamination using the rescEU CBRN Decon Unit. Over 70 deployment forces from eight local THW associations and the PSP participated, demonstrating the capacity for cross-border cooperation. The exercise professionalized procedures, particularly in the rescEU CBRN Decon Sub Unit 2.2, which is being set up and trained for personnel decontamination.
The rescEU CBRN decontamination capacity can be requested and deployed when local and European disaster response capacities are insufficient. This collaborative effort between THW and PSP strengthens Europe's resilience against CBRN threats.
