The Klats Education team, in collaboration with MedGlobal, conducted a three-day CBRN defense training for the Kyiv City Emergency Services.
From August 15 to 17, 2023, an important training session was held in Kyiv for the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) in Kyiv, aimed at enhancing their qualifications in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN defense). This event, organized with the participation of the humanitarian non-governmental organization MedGlobal and the Klats Education team, was an important step in strengthening the ability of Ukrainian rescuers to respond to emergencies involving hazardous substances.
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.
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.— Riley G. Jones — Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Science (MSc), Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H), Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP). Member of the Board of Directors of MedGlobal, CBRN Lead. Assistant Professor of Medicine and Global Health — University of Florida.
Over the course of three days, participants gained deep knowledge and practical skills in the following areas:— Basics of toxidromes: familiarization with the main symptoms and signs of poisonings caused by various chemical substances.— Physics of radiation contamination: understanding the processes associated with radiation contamination and its health effects.— Principles of mass casualty management in chemical contamination: methods of organizing and coordinating rescue operations in the context of mass casualties from hazardous chemicals.— Triage of victims: methods of prioritizing medical care for victims of chemical, biological, and radiological disasters.— Decontamination: practical aspects of decontaminating victims and equipment from hazardous substances.— Critical injuries and their treatment: providing first aid for severe injuries related to CBRN incidents.
The first day of the program — August 15, began with an introduction to the training program, where participants received an overview of the properties of chemical weapons and toxidromes. The symptoms of exposure to various chemical substances were reviewed, and the importance of early triage and medical assistance before and during decontamination was emphasized. An overview of protective suits and personal protective equipment (PPE) was conducted, followed by training in the proper donning and doffing of protective suits. Practical sessions on providing medical assistance while wearing PPE concluded the first part of the day. Special attention was given to the procedures and protocols for dry decontamination and an introduction to the PRISM study on chemical weapons response.
On August 16, participants practiced skills in groups at individual stations. Practical training included performing various medical procedures in PPE, as well as verifying the proper use and maintenance of PPE and protective suits. That day, particular attention was paid to the procedures and protocols for wet decontamination, which were practiced during simulation exercises. In addition, participants were introduced to mass triage methods for effective and efficient emergency response.
August 17 was dedicated to chemical weapons emergency response training, during which participants applied the knowledge and skills acquired over the previous days. The final stage of the training was a simulation of a chemical weapons incident response, which included triage and medical care for victims.
This training was a significant element in preparing Ukrainian rescuers for possible emergencies involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. The knowledge and skills gained will enable the SES to respond more effectively to such challenges, protecting the lives and health of Ukrainian citizens.
This event, initiated by the Klats Education team, marked the beginning of a series of trainings from MedGlobal for SES across Ukraine and contributed to strengthening international cooperation in the field of safety, as the participation of foreign instructors and experts emphasized the importance of a global approach to CBRN defense.