CBRNe

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN defence) are protective measures taken in situations in which chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare (including terrorism) hazards may be present. CBRN defence consists of CBRN passive protection, contamination avoidance, and weapons of mass destruction mitigation.

A CBRN incident differs from a hazardous material incident in both scope (i.e., CBRN can be a mass casualty situation) and intent. CBRN incidents are responded to under the assumption that they are intentional and malicious; evidence preservation and perpetrator apprehension are of greater concern than with HAZMAT incidents.

A 2011 forecast concluded that worldwide government spending on CBRN defence products and services would reach US$8.38bn that year.

Etymology

In English the term ''CBRN'' is a replacement for the 1960s–1980s term ''NBC'' (nuclear, biological, and chemical), which had replaced the term ''ABC'' (atomic, biological, and chemical) that was used in the 1950s. The addition of the ''R'' (for ''radiological'') is a consequence of the "new" threat of a radiological weapon (also known as "dirty bombs"). In the 2000s, the term ''CBRNe'' was introduced as an extension of ''CBRN'' - the ''e'' in this term representing the enhanced (improvised) explosives threat.

In Spanish the term ''NRBQ'' (''Nuclear, Radiológico, Bacteriológico y Químico'') has replaced ''NBQ''.

By country or region

Brazil

File:6º Curso Básico de Assistência e Proteção em Resposta a Emergências Químicas (16939639985).jpg, Brazilian Marine Corps training for CBRN defense.
File:Exercício Integrado de respostas em desastres naturais e antropogênicos (23386333032).jpg, Brazilian troops prepared for biological warfare.
File:Eixo de defesa prevenção, repressão e combate ao terrorismo (14281508700).jpg, Special Forces training for chemical warfare.

Brazilian firefighters are trained for NBC situations. During the 2016 Summer Olympics, police forces like the GATE from Minas Gerais, the Federal Police, and the National Public Security Force were prepared.

In the military, there is CBRN equipment and personnel in all branches of the Armed Forces. The Brazilian Army has two specific teams: th
1st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Battalion
which is based at Rio de Janeiro and is responsible for decontaminating military equipment, weapons, and personnel, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company, based at Goiânia and part of the Brazilian Special Operations Command, that makes the decontamination and defense in CBRN situations. The Brazilian Presidential Guard and Army Police also have CBRN units.

The Brazilian Marine Corps has the CDefNBQR (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Defense Center) that controls the ARAMAR Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Defense Battalion, at Iperó, São Paulo, conceived to provide physical security and to perform CBRN emergencies control actions at the Centro Experimental Aramar, responsible for developing Brazilian Navy nuclear researches; the Itaguaí Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Defense Battalion, at Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro, which is to be the host of the first Brazilian Navy nuclear-powered submarine; and the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Defense Company, at Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. The Air Force is making special teams for transporting victims from CBRN attacks/accidents.

Canada

The term ''CBRN'' is in common use in disaster and emergency services organizations across the country. Since July 2005, the Canadian Armed Forces also started using the term ''CBRN Defence'', instead of ''NBC Defence'', due to the increased threat of dirty bomb use (which is radiological in nature). ''CBRNE'' is a new term that is being used in both civilian and military organizations. The Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit is a Canadian Forces unit, under the direction of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, charged with supporting "the Government of Canada in order to prevent, control and mitigate CBRN threats to Canada, Canadians and Canadian interests."

All members of the Canadian Armed Forces are trained in CBRNE defense, and maintain minimum standards, tested at least every three years.

At the provincial level, cities are provided opportunities for their emergency services with CBRN training. In Ontario, emergency services in Windsor, Peterborough, Toronto, and Ottawa have obtained CBRN standing at NFPA Standard 472 Awareness Level 3.

European Union

In mid-July 2016, the European Parliament negotiated a new draft counterterrorism directive aimed at protecting Europe's people from biological, chemical and other attacks. The timeline of the directive is illustrated in the following table:

The directive would criminalize:
* Certain acts related to preparing for a terrorist attack, such as traveling abroad to meet with a terrorist group
* Training to make explosives, firearms, and other dangerous substances
* Public incitement or praise for terrorism and financing of terrorism
The directive also includes text to help victims of terror attacks.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has had CBRN response capabilities since the early 1990s and advanced training from 1998. The Standing CBRN Planning Group (known as the SRPG) plans for all CBRN incidents in Hong Kong. The SRPG was set up with the support of the Secretary for Security by the Senior Bomb Disposal Officer in Hong Kong, Dominic Brittain. It consists of representatives from 9 government departments who plan the response to CBRN threats. These departments include Police EOD, Fire Services, the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health, amongst others. The operational arm of the SRPG is the CBRN Incident Advisory Group (RIAG) who form up in the initial stages of a CBRN incident using telephone conferencing. RIAG consists of five experts who assist with the technical response to the incident by providing real time advice and support to the departments involved. The Hong Kong capability is well rehearsed, with regular departmental exercises conducted and a full scale CBRN exercise conducted every year.

India

The Indian Army ordered 16 CBRN monitoring vehicles, of which the first 8 were inducted in December 2010. It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and manufactured by Ordnance Factories Board.

Indonesia

Army

The Indonesian Army has a CBRN defense unit which is the ''Kompi Zeni Nuklir, Biologi dan Kimia'' (abbreviated "Kompi Zeni Nubika Pusat Zeni TNI AD") translat