The Klats Education team, together with MedGlobal, conducted a two-day CBRN defense training for the State Emergency Service of Chernihiv.
On November 25-26, 2023, a training was held in Chernihiv for the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES), aimed at enhancing their competencies in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) defense. The event was organized in cooperation with MedGlobal and the NGO Klats Education and was the second in a series of trainings for the SES of Ukraine, aimed at preparing rescuers to effectively respond to hazardous substance incidents.
MedGlobal is a international humanitarian NGO that implements emergency response and medical programs to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities worldwide. MedGlobal's medical programs support victims of wars and disasters, refugees, internally displaced persons, and marginalized communities affected by natural disasters with limited resources.
Over the course of two days, participants gained in-depth knowledge and practical skills in the following areas:— Fundamentals of toxidromes: studying key symptoms and signs of poisonings caused by various chemical substances.— Radiation contamination: understanding the processes of radiation exposure and its health effects.— Decontamination: practical aspects of cleaning affected individuals and equipment from hazardous substances.— Triage of victims: techniques for determining the prioritization of medical assistance during chemical, biological, and radiological disasters.— Treatment of critical injuries: providing first aid for severe injuries related to CBRN incidents.— Mass casualty management: methods of coordinating rescue operations during mass chemical contamination.
The speakers and instructors of the program were international experts from MedGlobal:— Tim Conley — President of the Interstate Disaster Medical Collaborative, veteran of the fire service and emergency medical services. Graduate of the Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) School at the U.S. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute and the U.S. Army ALS Hazmat School. Director of CBRNE training operations.— Mark Jones — U.S. Navy veteran (responsible for the medical training of an explosive ordnance disposal battalion) and U.S. Army veteran (taught resuscitation). He is a graduate of the Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) School at the U.S. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. He has been a Domestic Preparedness instructor since the 9/11 tragedy and has undergone training as a certified specialist in responding to radiological and nuclear hazards.
The program began on November 25 with a lecture session, where participants received a general overview of the properties of chemical weapons and toxidromes. The symptoms of exposure to various chemical substances were discussed, and the importance of early triage and providing medical assistance before and during decontamination was emphasized. This was followed by a review of protective suits and personal protective equipment (PPE), after which participants completed practical training on the proper donning and doffing of protective gear. The first day concluded with sessions on providing medical care while wearing PPE and familiarization with dry decontamination procedures, as well as an introduction to the PRISM study on responding to chemical weapons.
On November 26, participants continued to develop their skills, focusing on group work during the simulation of a mass chemical casualty incident. The practical training included providing medical assistance while wearing PPE, checking the proper use and maintenance of protective suits, and practicing mass triage methods. Special attention was given to wet decontamination procedures, which were practiced during a simulation exercise.
This training was an important step in preparing Ukrainian rescuers to respond to emergencies involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. The knowledge gained and the practical skills acquired will significantly enhance the SES’s ability to act quickly and effectively in such dangerous conditions, ensuring the proper protection of the lives and health of Ukrainian citizens.