cbrn newsletter - issue 10 (vol 3) july...

ForewordThere have been many new developments over the past year in the CBRN community that will have a bearing on aspects of defence. The introduction of the General Service Respirator over the next 3 years will perhaps be the most obvious but behind the scenes a huge amount of work and effort continues to make sure that our forces have the right equipment, doctrine and training to succeed should a CBRN incident occur.

The nature of the threat has clearly changed and has become more complex to quantify. Our ability to sense what CBRN threats our personnel may face will be much

improved with the introduction of Light Role Teams but there remains the crucial requirement for personnel to deal with the immediate problem themselves. Our doctrinal model has also undergone a rigorous re-examination. What is clear is the greater future reliance on all first responders to quickly identify when CBRN materials have been used and to act decisively to avoid compounding the situation. The division between the ‘home’ and ‘away’ game is blurring with incidents abroad having immediate implications for UK authorities.

All these changing aspects of CBRN defence have led the DCBRNC to

Wg Cdr Rob McLucas (Comdt DCBRNC)

publish this newsletter, with material drawn from a wide variety of areas, in an effort to inform and better prepare everyone to deal with a CBRN event should it occur.

Contents The General Service Respirator (GSR) – Update 2 Police National CBRN Training Centre Relocation 4 ‘From Keswick to Kandahar’ - DCBRNC Training Estate Development and Contemporisation 6 DCBRNC Courses Programme 9 At the HART of Winterbourne 10 JSP 410 - ‘CBRN Defence Training’ 12 CBRN Protect – Innovation at DSTL 13 The CBRN Defence Advisors’ Course 14 CBRN Defence – A Royal Navy Training Perspective 16 The Introduction of ATP- 45(D) 17 Service Entry of the Light Role Team 18 CBRN Policy 20 CBRN Doctrine Architecture 20 DCBRNC Telephone Directory 21 DCBRNC Website 21

CBRN Newsletter Team and Contributions The CBRN Newsletter is an Sqn Ldr J Harvey Please contact:-in-house journal produced by the Training Development Advisor, Defence CBRN Centre. The views Training Development, DCBRNC TD Wing, Graphics on expressed are those of the authors Defence CBRN Centre, 94333 4262 (01722 436262) with concerned and do not Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury, any question concerning images. ecessarily conform with official Wiltshire SP4 0ES policy. All military contributors are responsible for the security grading Email: (RESTRICTED or below) of their [email protected] Editor Sqn Ldr John Harvey input, and for obtaining appropriate Tel: 94333 4085 (01722 436085) Layout Tim Neate command clearance. Contribution Michael Hitchenand correspondence is encouraged Contributors to the CBRN News-from any source and in any format letter are asked to submit photos/ Images Martin Jones and should be addressed to the diagrams that support an article as editor:- separate high quality files. Typing Laura Hollinworth

Defence CBRN Centre - CBRN Newsletter July 2010 1

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The General Service Respirator (GSR) - Update by Sqn Ldr A Field (JtCap FP1a)

The S10 respirator has provided UK Defence, both in the UK and overseas, with a reliable and tested system offering respiratory protection to personnel whilst operating in a CBRN environment. However, as the respirator’s life span draws to a close, and recognising that technology has moved on from the inception of the S10, attention has been focussed, for a number of years, to the next evolution of respiratory protection. This next step has culminated in the General Service Respirator (GSR). The GSR project has identified possible future threats and embraced technology to counter them, as well as recognising the constraints that wearing a negative pressure respirator has on the user and mitigated them where possible. The performance requirements of the GSR, laid down by the Front Line Commands (FLCs), are to an exceptionally demanding level and have forced Industry to incorporate the latest expertise both in testing and manufacturing when designing the GSR.

The design of the GSR was intricate in itself; however, the proof of performance required to satisfy the User Community was to a rigorous and detailed standard never seen before in the development of a UK Armed Forces respirator. This meant that the GSR travelled an interesting and sometimes difficult path to System Acceptance: a position, whereby the user’s needs for military capability have been met by the systems supplied. However, this journey has led to the GSR being tested to its limits and

is fundamental to allowing FLCs and, more importantly, personnel, to have confidence in the GSR’s ability to provide CBRN protection. It has undergone numerous equipment tests in the laboratory such as testing its protection factor, robustness and climatic performance. Once proven in the laboratory, it required testing in the field and underwent a series of demanding user trials which closely examined the GSR’s performance whilst conducting military tasks. These tasks ranged from sedate exercises such as CBRN sentry duty, carrying Jerry cans and static firing of weapons on a range, to, at the other end of the spectrum, conducting exercises with vigorous activity such as fire and manoeuvre, casualty evacuation and taking cover. Even sleeping with the respirator worn was trialled. As part of the CBRN suite of personal equipment, it must allow the wearer to conduct his or her routine tasks; therefore, it must integrate with all military equipment in service. Although simple in concept, the integration trials have had difficulty in matching the speed of Urgent Operational Requirements which have become solely focussed on contemporary operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite this, and as a testament to the GSR’s flexibility, it is able to operate with all the platforms that have been put forward by the FLCs.

The GSR is able to integrate easily with equipment due to its construction. The twin canisters can turn in their housing 180° to face rearward providing a flatter

face surface. However, the greatest benefit of the twin canister concept is that it reduces the breathing burden on the wearer; additionally, with this construct, the wearer can continue to breath safely when conducting the canister change drill. The high levels of respiratory and ocular protection are facilitated through not only the canisters, but an ingenious twin reflex seal and a second oronasal mask within the respirator. The new style of seal cleverly affords 2 separate seals around the mask providing higher seal integrity between the respirator and the face. Then, in addition to enhanced seals and canisters, the installation and operation of an oronasal mask filters the air again before exposure to the lungs.

Other than the canisters, the other striking difference when visually compared to the S10, is the one piece lens. The 2 circular lenses, which had a psychological effect on the wearer and reduced his field of vision, have now been replaced with a single lens. This lens is non-removable and has reduced the risk of respirator failure through incorrectly fitted eyepieces or, indeed, the possibility of them popping out at an inopportune moment. The ability to clearly see a large part of the wearer’s face along with the increased speech clarity and volume has reduced the ‘cut off’ sensation that can be associated with wearing a respirator. Further improvements include an increased uptake of water equivalent to 4 times greater than the current respirator; an elastomeric construction, both in the facepiece


Defence CBRN Centre - CBRN Newsletter July 20103

The GSR has been constructed with a one-piece lens which has improved the wearer‘s field of vision, and integrate easily with most weapons systems.


and the harness, enhancing comfort and fit; and a new testing system called ARTS (Advanced Respirator Testing System) which will test the respirator at its highest protection factor.

With System Acceptance now complete and the In Service Date (ISD) scheduled for July 2010, the Jt Fielding Plan will begin in earnest and deliver the GSR to units as required by FLCs; however, prior to ISD, the first unit to receive the GSR will be the Jt CBRN Regt. The rollout for this Unit will facilitate the GSR’s future use on Ex PRECISE RESPONSE; a live agent training exercise in Canada. There is little doubt that interest in the GSR will be high from, not only the UK, but also from the other participating nations at this Exercise. After the

initial drive, there will be a phased fielding of GSR over a 3 to 4 year period. This gradual process will allow the manufacturer to produce at a steady state, prevent competition in demand between the FLCs and allow the training system to absorb the new training. Most importantly, the Jt Fielding Plan will ensure that theatre will not have to deal with a mix of respirators along with all the inherent logistic and training demands that this situation will entail. As the GSR rolls out, the S10 will remain in service and continue to provide ample CBRN protection for personnel on operations; all personnel are expected to be issued and trained on GSR sometime in 2014.

The GSR offers the wearer a consistently high protection factor

able to counter numerous biological agents as well as the respiratory hazards associated with chemical, radiological and nuclear threats; this is a protection standard that has not been offered before to UK Forces. The wearer will be able to benefit from the multitude of enhancements made with the GSR including the easier breathing and drinking, better vision and greater comfort. He can have confidence in his respirator, fully aware that it has undergone some of the most stringent testing and trialling of a negative pressure respirator ever conducted in the UK and other nations. From the declaration of ISD, it can be expected that these benefits and protection standards offered by GSR will place UK Defence at the cutting edge of CBRN respiratory protection for sometime to come.

Police National CBRN Training Centre Relocation by Vicki Hoare (Acting Communications Officer, PNCBRNC)

The Police National CBRN Training Centre closed its doors at Winterbourne Gunner in September 2009 and relocated to Ryton-on-Dunsmore, to form part of a multi-purpose centre focused on CBRN related projects, supporting multi-agency exercises, responding to operational incidents and training. The Ryton office opened in 2006 and originally existed as a team, based on the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) site. Since then it has been redeveloped into a modern Centre with well-equipped offices and meeting rooms, a 24/7 Operations Centre and state of the art training facilities.

Although sad to leave the comfort of Winterbourne Gunner, having been based there for 8 years, the Training Delivery Team has settled quickly into life at Ryton. John Johnstone, Training Manager, commented; “Although my team and I miss the close links we had with the military

staff at Winterbourne Gunner, we are now fully integrated at Ryton and are developing useful links with the NPIA training and policy development staff. Any change can be unsettling; however, we quickly set up the training offices and classrooms at Ryton and delivered our first course in October – only a matter of weeks after the facilities migrated from Winterbourne Gunner.

“The delivery of training has benefited since being at Ryton. The site is centrally located and is easily accessible by road, rail and air. Delegates attending courses are accommodated on-site, which allows more room for student learning outside of training hours. Delegates have unlimited access to an internet café for extended learning and are encouraged to use the sporting facilities located on-site, which include a gymnasium, swimming pool and sauna rooms.

There are also evening sporting activities and entertainment such as Badminton, 5-a-side football and quiz nights to keep delegates entertained when they are not in the classroom.

“The facilities at Ryton not only benefit those attending courses, but also the training staff. Travel time has been reduced for the majority of staff due to the central location and the accommodation that is provided is more suitable for long-term staff.

“We are also more integrated with the Training Design Team, the Operations Centre and the Project Team, already located at Ryton. Since the migration we have had more opportunities to be involved with product design and operational issues that occur on a day-to-day basis. At Winterbourne Gunner, Training Delivery was quite isolated from the rest of the Police National


CBRN Centre business units and, indeed, other elements of the Police Service. It has been really beneficial for the whole centre to be located under one roof.”

The Police National CBRN Centre has worked over the past 3 years in preparation for the migration of training delivery from Winterbourne Gunner to Ryton. Money has been spent on converting office space to classrooms, building a Respirator Testing Facility that contains two chambers, an Off-Gas Airing Shed, changing rooms and the Vector Command Training Simulation Suite.

Chief Inspector Ian Stubbs, Project Manager, remarked:

“It was no mean feat to turn the Police National CBRN Centre, as it was in 2006 when it opened at Ryton, into a multi-purpose centre designed for training. It took a lot of hard work and dedication from the Project and training team to ensure that the centre had the necessary training facilities and support required when courses commenced at Ryton in October 2009. As well as ensuring that the infrastructure was suitable for training, the essential Information Technology equipment had to be installed, such as the Vector Command immersive learning suite required for Silver and Gold Command courses. “Having training co-located with the other functions ensures that training

products can be rapidly adapted to incorporate the outputs from project work and equally ensures that training factors are considered from the outset of project work ”

Since the migration to Ryton, the Training Delivery team have trained over 400 officers as well as supporting external Command Refreshers and the QA process. However, the Police National CBRN Centre boasts other functions, as well as training.

The Police National CBRN Operations Centre provides a 24/7 service to Police Forces, facilitating ready and available access to specialist advice. They are also available to provide technical advice and support to forces in, for example ‘white powder’ incidents. Referrals and enquiries to the Operations Centre have continued to increase year on year. Last year the Operations Centre assisted with over 100 suspected CBRN incidents and 538 other queries.

The Exercise Team provide support to multi-agency exercises across the UK and guide decisions and priorities on, for example, training equipment and policy. Feedback from exercises is fed back to the Training Design Team, meaning the Centre can continue to refine courses to reflect operational best practice.

The Police National CBRN Training Centre at Ryton-on-Dunsmore.

There were some concerns that geography and close links that that the centre had with Porton Down and other military elements, such as the Technical Response Force (TRF), might be strained by distance. This has not been the case and the centre still enjoys a strong and effective relationship with all elements of the MOD that have CBRN knowledge to share.

Superintendent Steve Doel, Deputy Head of Centre, noted that;

“There can be no doubt that the solid foundation provided through the initial establishment of the Police National CBRN Centre at Winterbourne Gunner in 2001 has enabled us to move forward with strength. Winterbourne Gunner was clearly the right place to start and we will always be grateful for the support of all the staff we have had the pleasure to work with in those early years. However, after 8 years of the Police National CBRN Centre functions being situated in various locations across the United Kingdom, the coming together of both Training Delivery with the Operations Centre, Training Design Team, Project Team and other business units has come as a welcome opportunity to continue our development.”


‘From Keswick to Kandahar’ - DCBRNC Training Estate Development and Contemporisation by Maj J Pritchett (Chief of Staff, DCBRNC)

“If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less” General Eric Shinseki, retired Chief of Staff, U. S. Army

As the nature of security in the world has changed, so has the threat. If the CBRN community is to adapt and overcome, it must change the way it trains, integrates and oper-ates. Events during the Iraq conflict, reports from Afghanistan and recent events on the UK mainland clearly point us towards the need to de-velop the way we train and operate in order to defeat this threat. Gone are the days of thickened mustard agents dispersed across the Ger-man plains, as is the threat of global thermonuclear conflict. What we must now look towards is training for the threats we are more likely to face either out on current operations or more closer to home still. Yes, we still need to train for Major Com-bat Operations, and yes the threat from nuclear states still exists, but it is the non-state actor, the extremist terrorist or disaffected individual with a dirty bomb, home made ricin de-vice or organophosphate chemical weapons who now pose a significant risk to UK forces.

Back in Nov 2009, the Commandant noted that the DCBRNC training area had been in its present state for over 15 years and had fallen out of step with the contemporary operating environment. As such, he was keen that this is addressed and the training estate be brought up-to-date to enhance its utility for the CBRN community, reflecting realistic scenarios based on intelligence underpinned by a strong scientific basis. Importantly, both the civilian and military elements of the CBRN community should be catered for and, whilst the military are primar-

ily responsible for the away game with civilian agencies taking on the home game, there is a clear synergy between their tasks and, as such, the training estate had to meet both users requirements.

The development and contempo-risation of the DCBRNC training estate has been ongoing for the past three months and is now bear-ing fruit. Initial projects are nearing completion and the next phase of the programme should be underway in late Jul. After direction from the Comdt and significant work in iden-tifying and developing the required scenarios, a detailed plan was drawn up by the development team. The aim was to ensure whatever was produced; it would meet three critical criteria:

Useable by different agencies and groups

Dynamically re-configurable to suit the scenario

Contemporary (Home and Away game)

Stalin once wrote that “Quantity has a Quality all of its own”, something that has been written about the US Terri facility, unfortunately, the size

Building 84 - Housing the multi-scenario training facilities.

of the training estate, coupled with limited budget flexibility, has driven the contemporisation into the area of small scale but highly realistic sce-narios that will provide an excellent test for those using the facilities.

So what is available?

To satisfy all possible users of the scenarios the NHS HART, who are currently located at Winterbourne Gunner, were included in the plan-ning phase and by using their expe-rience and knowledge on the “blue light” requirements, coupled with a healthy dose of Military objectivity, the team were able to develop build-ing 84, Thorneydown Barns and a rural incident area. Whilst the Quar-termaster was not best pleased to lose some of his storage and had to be placated with some lovely shiny new shelving, Bldg 84 has now been developed into a first class training venue capable of satisfying a diverse range of requirements.

Bldg 84. Fully fitted with CCTV, ex-ercise controllers are able to monitor the exercise from an independent control room able to record and playback activities for de-briefing



Small shop setting.


purposes or to provide input during an exercise. The building can play host to the following scenarios:

Post Office: This is set up as a proper Post Office, with front desk, safety screen and sorting area. Based on a biological, radiological or parcel bomb event, users can be tested in a number of scenarios from the detailed task of searching though hundred of parcels and let-ters, to casualty evacuation through to EOD dis-arming activities. If required, the scenario can be put into complete darkness or filled with smoke should the scenario demand.

Shop: Attached to the Post Office we have developed an associated shop. As realistic as possible, again the shop has been designed to test all users. A number of different scenarios can be run, military or as a blue light emergency. Should the user require, both scenarios can be combined to provide a mass casu-alty event.

Workshop: Utilising moving walls and selective lighting, within the same building a vehicle workshop and underground car park have been set up. The workshop will provide the user with a small “lock-up” type scenario where terrorists have been or are preparing a VBIED through to an industrial accident with chemicals or dangerous gasses e.g. oxyacetylene cylinders.

Car Park. By removing a number of walls, the workshop can then be transformed into an underground car park, resplendent with local graf-fiti, and complete with an additional car, van and motorbike. The aim here is to create a larger area in which to exercise using IEDs in a van through to chemical IEDs and incidents involving multiple cars and casualties. The addition of a smoke generator increases the challenge further. This is very much multi use with EOD able to practice operat-ing in a confined area through to the ambulance service dealing with CBRN casualties in a difficult envi-ronment. Again, this area is re-con-figurable and, by simply changing the signage around, the location can

be turned from Keswick to Kanda-har, even the radio playing in the background will reflect the scenario.

Keen not to concentrate on under-cover and urban scenarios, there has been significant work in devel-oping more rural training venues. As with the other venues, maintain-ing flexibility to deliver training to all users the initial rural areas reflect the changing nature of the threat. Using realistic equipment, based on that which has been found through-out the UK, we have developed two training locations, a rural bedsit/ squat and clandestine labs based in caravans. Each will provide the user with a number of challenges from entry through search to evi-dence gathering and extraction. A number of scenarios can be set up from a bomb making factory to a bio weapons lab through to an illegal drugs lab. Whilst not covered by CCTV, their location does allow the exercise controller the ability to let the exercise free run or, provide close control. Of note, the locations chosen for each training venue is discrete should users require a little more privacy!

Finally, we have acquired an aircraft that can be used for a number of dif-ferent training requirements. From a crashed to a hijacked aircraft, the use of the facility can be tailored ac-cording to the user’s requirements.

Behind the counter in the Post Office.

Currently, the HART use the facility to practice casualty extraction from a downed aircraft with a high fuel hazard present (currently simu-lated).

The initial development work fo-cused on the “quick wins”; the next phase of the development will look towards work requiring more con-struction than conversion. Phase 2, will see the development of training scenarios tailored to the current

Small garage/workshop with large door to outside.

Underground car park area.


operating environment enabling military units and organisations to practice dealing with a CBRN inci-dent prior to deployment.

VCP/Sangar: The initial develop-ment in phase 2 will see the con-struction of a HESCO Bastion VCP/ Sangar complex at which troops will be able to develop their drills and procedures should they need to deal with a CBRN incident and a cave complex to provide a scenario in which troops can develop difficult search skills. Each one will be con-structed to deliver a realistic scenar-io, Wiltshire countryside allowing!

Lorry: The aim of this scenario will be to provide a large scale CBRN incident. For the “home game” it could be a vehicle carrying chemi-cal waste involved in an accident through to an insurgent using a lorry and chemical barrels in a suicide VBIED attack. The scenario will enable liquid to be discharged (Water) from the damaged barrels at various rates in order to simulate a leak that has to be dealt with or the

Chemical laboratory set up in a caravan.

consequences of the leak dealt with depending on the scenario.

Confined Search: Utilising the exist-ing bunkers but with the addition of sewerage pipes, exit and entry booths and containers, this develop-ment could be used for difficult EOD search in the caves of Kabul, the docks of Southampton or a chemical incident in an industrial estate where buildings have collapsed. Each user will be able to tailor the pipe network to suit their requirement from a dif-ficult entry to a cave right through

to finding and extracting casualties over large distances in a confined area, whilst under close supervision.

Conclusion. The development of the training estate at Winterbourne Gunner will create a first class facility that can be utilised by a significant number of users. The re-configurable nature of the set-up ensures they will remain relevant and develop with the threat. Al-ways, the CBRN flavour has been retained but, this should not be seen as restricting the user community, rather enhancing the appeal of the estate in its entirety.


At the HART of Winterbourne By David Bull, Training Lead, Ambulance HART

Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) consist of dedicated am-bulance personnel who are being recruited, equipped and trained as part of a Department of Health programme.

In January 2005, experts in main-stream ambulance services, clini-cians and specialists in the CBRN field acknowledged that not being able to operate in the ‘hot zone’ (inner cordon) of a major incident meant that the Ambulance Service was potentially being impeded in its ability to undertake the clinical interventions necessary to preserve life at the early stages of a CBRN/ HAZMAT incident.

Subsequent experience from the terrorist bombings in London on 7th July 2005 also proved that being able to work in the centre of these scenes, when there was no contamination present, meant that many lives were saved that would otherwise have been lost.

As a result, the decision was taken to explore the possibility of being able to train and equip personnel who would be able to work safely in such environments even when there are contaminants or other serious hazards present (whether caused deliberately or accidentally). The Department of Health was later ap-proached by the Fire Service with a request to consider training para-medics to work in the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) environment, alongside their own personnel. The decision was subsequently made, during 2006, to add a USAR capa-bility to the HART project. There will be 12 teams in England and be-spoke versions in Scotland, Wales

and Northern Ireland.

The Ambulance Service has had a presence at Winterbourne Gunner for over 6 years as part of the Police National CBRN Centre (PNCBRNC). With the move of PNCBRNC to Ryton-on-Dunsmore, the HART pro-gramme entered discussions with DCBRNC exploring the possibility of conducting training for HART at

HART students training in their specialist protective suits.

Winterbourne Gunner.

Since those early discussions, over 260 HART operatives and team leaders have been trained by the faculty based at Winterbourne Gunner. The benefits of conducting bespoke training and education for


HART alongside DCBRNC are sig-nificant; the 3 week residential cur-riculum makes effective use of the training areas, buildings and educa-tional facilities available. Speakers from the military deliver presenta-tions and pass on experience and knowledge, especially regarding the developments in trauma care that have been identified on current military deployments.

The relationship between the NHS staff based here and all those who work with DCBRNC can only be described as excellent; there has always been a way to facilitate requests from both parties and DC-BRNC has been extremely support-ive of the HART project. We were fortunate in that staff from DCBRNC were able to attend our conference ‘Inner Cordon 2010’ where they were able to meet HART staff and partner agencies.

An aircraft fuselage provides a realistic training environment.

Training areas and faculty office facilities have been enhanced to facilitate the increasing demands and currency of HART educa-tion, with the placement of vehicle wrecks, including an aircraft, for use in practical exercises and the con-version of buildings in to dedicated scenarios that are available for use by military courses and HART. One of these developments has involved the construction of an innovative pre hospital clinical simulation suite that is unique to HART. Working with the military medical course, HART operatives will be able to experience realistic clinical simulation in the pre hospital environment then hand

over a patient to the military hospital based simulation suite.

We have also been made very wel-come socially and the training fac-ulty regularly attends mess events, where we are able to build on es-tablished relationships with military colleagues; during the course a pub quiz is held where ambulance and military staff raise money for Help for Heroes. The welcome extended to candidates attending HART courses has been reflected in our course evaluation, with a plethora of positive comments about the facili-ties available at DCBRNC.

Manikins play an important role on the training programme.

With 8 teams now operational and 4 more to conduct training, the focus is shifting towards continuity train-ing, where we aim to build on our experience and continue the effec-tive and innovative working relation-ship between HART and DCBRNC. There is even rumour of a HART ‘football challenge’ to DCBRNC staff.

More information on HART can be found at www.ambulancehart.org

HART teams need to gain familiarity with a wide variety of equipment.


JSP 410 - ‘CBRN Defence Training’ by Sqn Ldr J Harvey (Training Development Advisor, DCBRNC)

Background Readers with a long-established interest in CBRN will fondly remember the MOD produced ‘Manual of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Training on Land’ which formed the basis of UK NBC training doctrine in the later years of the Cold War and the early 1990s. The Manual was divided up into a series of numbered pamphlets, of which ‘Pamphlet No 4: Unit NBC Instructor’s Handbook’ became effectively the bible for all personnel involved in generalist NBC training. With the demise of the Manual in the mid-1990s, a doctrinal gap was created and, arguably, a good amount of corporate knowledge was lost in the process. Despite the demise of the Manual, individual NBC drills continued to be published, in pocket-sized booklet form, as JSP 410 ‘Survive to Fight’. This booklet has remained in use, adapted to single-Service formats, until the present day.

The Re-issue of JSP 410 In a move which will effectively plug the longstanding gap left by

the disappearance of Pamphlet No 4, it has been decided to re-issue JSP 410 in 2010 as a full doctrinal publication with the title ‘CBRN Defence Training’. This publication is designed to ensure that CBRN training doctrine is kept in line with operational CBRN doctrine and its appearance is also intended to reflect the step change represented by the introduction of GSR. One key difference between the old Pamphlet and the JSP is that the latter will not be mass-produced in hard-copy form but will be launched on the Defence Intranet and updated electronically as required in the months and years ahead.

Aim and Scope of the JSP The aim of the JSP is, much like ‘Pamphlet No 4’, to provide CBRN training guidance up to ‘Enhanced Generalist’ level. This term encompasses generic ‘Survive-to-Fight’ awareness and drills and any additional CBRN knowledge and skills, such as chemical and radiological recce and survey, that individual personnel will need to acquire as part of Protection Groups integrated within deployed units. The JSP, however, does not cover specialized CBRN training such as medical or Cell Controller duties, which are covered by existing specialist documentation. In addition, it does not cover training for specialist CBRN units such as the Jt CBRN Regt or RAF CBRN Ops Sqn. Nevertheless, for the purpose of inclusiveness, the JSP does contain Live Agent Training regulations, even though these relate primarily to specialist CBRN units.

Content of the JSP A key feature of the JSP’s content is

the initial inclusion of both S10 and GSR drills to cover the full roll-out period of the new respirator. The full list of chapters is as follows:

1. An Overview of CBRN Defence Training.

2. Training Simulants and Equipment.

3. DIMS Equipment, TRaME, CBRN Hazard Management Equipment and Medical Countermeasures.

4. Additional CBRN Training.

5. Live Agent Training Regulations.

6. S10 Drills.

7. GSR Drills.

Anyone concerned that a printout of the document is unlikely to be pocket-sized need not worry. It is planned to produce, in hard-copy form, a Defence-wide ‘Survive-to-Fight’ booklet later this year. This will be based on the S10/GSR Drills contained in Chapters 6 and 7 of the JSP.

Accessing the Document As well as being available in the JSP Library on the Defence Intranet, JSP 410 will also be made accessible through the DCBRNC Website. The JSP is likely to become a new key reference for anyone involved in CBRN training. Furthermore, in the future it may be expanded further as a platform for formalizing other significant CBRN training issues as yet to be captured in document form.


CBRN Protect – Innovation at DSTL Maj JH Skillen (DSTL)

To allow UK Forces to continue to operate at full tempo when in the presence of a CBRN threat the staff at Dstl are continually devising and refining innovative ideas. These ideas, if brought into service, will ensure that UK Forces are able to cope with the ever evolving CBRN threat whilst ensuring minimum physiological and logistic burden. This article will give a brief overview of three of those ideas that are cur-rently being researched at Porton Down.

Dual Cavity Technology The Respiratory Protection Team have developed a prototype respira-tor that gives the same high levels of protection as commercially avail-able Powered Air Purifying Respi-rators but vastly reduced logistic burden. By injecting a small amount of air into the ocular region of the dual cavity respirator through a small, low powered fan fitted within the respirator a consistent positive pressure is maintained in the eye space. This results in a substan-tial reduction in the risk of inward leakage through the face seal. The prototype has also been fitted with a real time ‘fit indicator’ which will give the user a warning when there is a loss of pressure within the respira-tor (indicating a seal breach) which will allow greater user confidence. The concept is still being developed; however, it could provide the next step in respiratory protection for UK Forces.

Self Decontaminating/ Disclosing Coatings The Hazard Management Team are currently developing a new concept using core/shell technologies to formulate coatings that are able to react to chemical warfare agent ex-posure and release decontaminants or self disclosing dyes. Core/shell particles have a ‘hard’ outer shell and a core filled with liquid or left

hollow. They measure only hun-dreds of nanometres to hundreds of micrometres in diameter. The re-search has proven that it is possible to produce core/shell particles that contain decontaminants or dyes that could be released when the particle comes into contact with a chemical warfare agent. The concept involves a chemical warfare agent triggering the core/shell particle to split open and release its liquid core. If this technology can be incorporated into a coating it will result in the decon-taminant being released in the lo-calised area of the chemical warfare agent hazard and therefore contain the hazard with no physiological or logistic burden. Alternatively a dye could be released from the core/ shell particle in the localised area of the chemical warfare agent hazard therefore warning the user of the hazard’s presence and location thus triggering a targeted decontamina-tion effort.

Lightweight CBRN Clothing The Protective Clothing Team are developing a lightweight CBRN clothing system that will provide sufficient protection to allow UK Forces to extract from a hazardous CBRN area (a number of hours) whilst imposing a physiological burden that is commensurate with the current CS95. The clothing is not designed to replace the Mk IVa but provide lower burden IPE that can be worn by UK Forces routinely. The project is still in the develop-ment phase; however a number of promising materials from industry and academia, including internation-al collaboration, are being tested. The materials will undergo a range of test and evaluation procedures, including live agent trials using the Porton Man mannequin, to measure protection, and physiological burden measurements to assess thermal comfort. Finally, Dstl’s CBR Virtual Battlespace Model will use the data gained from the tests outlined above

to assess the operational impact of the suit systems within a number of representative military scenarios. Although still years from being taken into service, this idea will vastly reduce the physiological burden of IPE for all UK Forces.

Fig. 1 System diagram showing airflow of Dual Cavity Concept.

Fig. 2 Core/Shell particles.

Fig. 3 Porton Man.


The CBRN Defence Advisors’ Courseby Sqn Ldr M Pope (OC Defence CBRN School, DCBRNC)

The CBRN Defence Advisors’ Course is designed to train military personnel for a CBRN Advisory role at the Battle Group/APOD level of operations. The rank range for the course is set at the SO2/SO3 level. However, WOs/SNCOs, or Civil Service staff in CBRN specific posts may also attend the course. More senior officers, who lack previous specialist CBRN experience, particularly those in CBRN staff appointments are encouraged to attend the course, which will provide them with a foundation in CBRN defence. The current course duration is 2 working weeks with the first week providing grounding in CBRN defence policy, basic science, research & development, CBRN equipment and an overview of the CBRN threat. The second week focuses on the role of the CBRN Defence Advisor, with a series of table top exercises across the full CBRN threat spectrum culminating in a CBRN orientated Battle Group planning exercise.

The course is heavily reliant on outside lecturers who provide the course with a high degree of academic credibility as well as operational and staff experience. The Defence Scientific & Technical Laboratories (Dstl) provide the nucleus of the science based speakers, most of whom have spent their working lives dedicated to CBRN Defence Science. Additionally, the course is augmented by the Civil Emergency Services, UK military personnel in CBRN specific appointments and MOD Policy & Doctrine staff, as well as CBRN trained military medical personnel.

Students study the RADIAC Surface Monitor (RSM) in their Syndcate room.

The DCBRNC core military instructional staff responsible for the delivery of the course have all completed a wide range of CBRN associated courses and have recent operational experience; hence the course is heavily focused on current operations and considers realistic deployed and home based CBRN threats. After the second Gulf War in 2003 a perhaps understandable malaise gripped the UK military about all things CBRN. However, whilst the CBRN threat to UK military personnel in theatre remains LOW, this most certainly does not mean that a threat does not exist. However, the threat must be placed in context, something the CBRN Advisors’ course strives to achieve. On a positive note, interest in CBRN matters appears to be on the rise, fuelled no doubt by a better appreciation at all levels of the actual rather than the oft perceived ‘Low means No threat’. As a result attendance on the CBRN Defence Advisors’ course has improved significantly over the

Students on the CBRN Defence Advisors’ Course learn about current CBRN detection and monitoring equipment.

last 18 months. However, places for personnel annotated for CBRN posts remain available. Should you wish to attend this course simply log on to the D CBRN C website at www.dnbcc.dii.r.mil.uk, where you will find an application form, joining instructions and a copy of the course programme.


CBRN Defence - A Royal Navy Training Perspectiveby Lt Cdr Steve Lee (MWS, CBRN Defence)

Phoenix Training Group (TG) is part of the Maritime Warfare School (MWS) and is situated just outside Portsmouth on Whale Island. The TG delivers training to over 15,000 students a year on aspects of maritime survivability encompassing sea survival, damage control, fire fighting, first aid and CBRN defence. The students comprise mainly Royal Navy Officers and Ratings who are about to deploy operationally; however, there are also a significant number of Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, RAF, Army and in-ternational courses who also attend training at the TG.

The Protection Training Unit (PTU) is a self-contained replica of a ship’s upper deck and weapons, as well as some associated below decks compartments. These areas are environmentally controlled and the PTU can alter the background atmo-spheric conditions to simulate the positive pressure exercised in a war-ship’s collective protection system, normally referred to as a ‘Citadel’. The combination of a pressurised ‘Citadel’ and use of a live radiation source within the PTU is believed to make this facility unique in Western Europe.

Students take part in chemical & ra-dioactive monitoring and decontami-nation exercises where they have to establish the extent of the con-tamination and then employ hazard management techniques to restore Operational Capability (OC).

Entry and exit from the Citadel to the upperdeck is carefully controlled through airlock and cleansing sta-tion routines. Instruction is given to pre-deployment personnel and also ship teams when the programme allows.

Junior Weapon Engineer Officers are typically nominated as the Protection Officer (PROTO) onboard RN ships and must complete the CBRNDC 8’s course which enables them to exercise Command and Control of a warship’s CBRN de-fence measures.

The PROTO course members get refresher training on other aspects of CBRN defence such as Immedi-ate Action Drill, Chemical Safety Rule etc. However they also get practical experience in the com-mand and control centre (HQ1) where whole ship considerations affect CBRN Defence Posture e.g. whether to operate ‘Prewet’ (up-perdeck spray system that washes >90% contamination overboard) while trying to conduct weapons engagement.

In addition to the C2 elements of the course, PROTOs are also instructed on how to conduct Warning & Re-porting through BRACIS. It is Navy Command policy to have CBRNI qualified instructors at Phoe-nix TG in order to train onboard in-structors on the CBRNDC 35 course (Qs course). Once 35 qualified, the

Another aspect from within the PTU with anti-aircraft gun and torpedo decoys in the background.

individual is then able to conduct CBRN continuation training with the ship’s company. This enables the ship to maintain OC even whilst deployed overseas.

The PTU is a strategic asset that en-ables quality training to be delivered in a near realistic environment. This distinctive capability, in conjunction with experienced instructors, deliv-ers value to the courses and en-sures that properly trained person-nel are being sent to the Fleet.

PROTO course student establishing extent of contamination within PTU.


The Introduction of ATP- 45(D)by Sqn Ldr J Harvey (Training Development Advisor, DCBRNC)

2010 will be a key year in CBRN W&R terms with the introduction of the Delta version of Allied Tactical Publication (ATP)-45. Most significantly perhaps, because what has up to now been an NBC reporting manual will provide fully-fledged CBRN reporting guidance. This is because, for the first time within the Publication’s development, procedures for the reporting of radiological incidents have been incorporated.

To give individual nations the opportunity to integrate the Delta version within their operational planning and training, NATO has agreed a time window of 12 months in which compliance is to be achieved. June 2011 is therefore the target date for full implementation.

The purpose of ATP-45(D) is to outline the CBRN procedures to be followed by NATO land, air and naval forces for the:

Reporting of all chemical, biological or radiological attacks and nuclear detonations and resulting contamination.

Predicting and warning of hazard areas from CBRN incidents.

Contributing to the evaluation of CBRN information in order to complete the common operational picture for the commander.

Warning of friendly nuclear strikes and the interception of a hostile incoming missile.

Transmitting of advanced hazard warning of a potential CBRN agent or Toxic Industrial Materials (TIM) release.

Interchange of the above reports as required.

As well as the introduction of the radiological reporting procedures, other new features of the Delta version include adopted flow charts from the DCBRNC W & R Aide Memoire. Furthermore, whereas it previously stood alone, ROTA reporting is now being absorbed into the other chapters of the Publication. The impact of ATP-45D on CBRN

Cell Controller Training at DCBRNC will be as follows:

To meet the implementation deadline, DCBRNC is already gearing its training programme to deliver ATP-45D training from September 2010 onwards. To improve the synergy between manual and BRACIS reporting, the BRACIS phase of the 3-week CBRN Cell Controllers’ Course is being merged within the first 2 weeks of the Course, rather than remaining as a stand-alone Week 2 module. The ATP-45D re-write within BRACIS itself will be used on the Course from December 2010 onwards in preparation for its operational roll-out between June and December 2011. Furthermore, over the next 6 months, the Cell Controller information on the DCBRNC Website will be updated to reflect the conversion to ATP-45D. This will assist Controllers who were trained under the guidelines of ATP-45C but wish to keep current in NATO W&R procedures as the Delta version comes on line.



Service Entry of the Light Role Team by Capt JP Evans (Force Development Officer, Jt CBRN Regt)

“The driving force behind the creation of Specialist Monitoring Teams was the realisation that the specialist CBRN support that the Jt CBRN Regt provided to Defence was focused on conventional war-fighting scenarios.”


The history of the Light Role Team (LRT) dates back to the formation of Specialist Monitoring Teams (SMTs) in 2001, which were deployed to Afghanistan on Op FINGAL. The driving force behind the creation of SMTs was the realisation that the specialist CBRN support that the Jt CBRN Regt provided to Defence was focused on conventional war-fighting scenarios, and the existing platforms were unsuitable for the threats likely to be encountered. They were too heavy, too constrained in Afghanistan’s difficult terrain, had a large logistical burden, and were designed to clear open ground for the rapid manoeuvre of armoured formations. They were not, for example, designed to investigate a suspected terrorist CBRN production lab in the mountains of Tora Bora.

This capability gap prompted the rapid creation of SMTs which proved highly effective and versatile during both Op FINGAL and subsequently in Op TELIC 1 in 2003. In 2004 this success led to a formal requirement to replace the UOR equipment with bespoke and fully supported specialist equipment, which became known as an LRT. The new LRT Equipment Program (EP) that developed has had a difficult early life due to the complexities of the CBRN systems used; however, the project is now in its final stages with

Two members of the Light Role Team don the Very High Level (VHL) Protection Suits and the Self Contained Breathing Appara-tus (SCBA) to carry out a survey and collect samples.

an in-service date of Dec 10 and Full Operating Capability by early 2011.

The concept of a highly mobile, flexible and self-sufficient CBRN investigation team has been fully realised in the new LRT EP, and overall this project has delivered a significant uplift in the Jt CBRN Regt’s capability. The system is based on bespoke Command and Cargo 6x6 Pinz vehicle variants for the UK and low threat environments; however, all equipment can be dismounted from the vehicles and is ruggedised and hardened to enable it to be packed onto another platform, whether that is by any Protective Mobility vehicle or by helicopter.

The CBRN Detection, Identification, Monitoring and Analysis (DIMA) Equipment provided is based on in -service equipment and Commercial Of The Shelf equipment, and, whilst there has been no dramatic increase in technological capability over the existing UOR DIMA, it is certainly sufficient for the job and does include some excellent upgrades in performance in key areas. Where there has been a step change in capability, however, is in the areas of protection and sustainability. The independence and self-sufficiency of the LRT has been greatly enhanced by the large quantity of general and CBRN supplies that will be carried-sufficient for three 8 hour missions in a 3-day period. This will allow the LRT to be rapidly deployed from

Light Role Team Personnel and Equipment.

the UK by air and under-slung by helicopter to a remote FOB where it can operate independently from any specialist supply chain. Another significant improvement has been with the BIO identification process, which has a containment cabinet and integral decontamination process that will greatly reduce the risk to the operator in the event of a positive BIO identification. Other improvements, more mundane yet important nevertheless, include the overall stowage, layout, accessibility and ergonomics of the system, which speeds up reaction times and reduces damage to equipment. Also, all of the equipment is fully supported, which will increase serviceability and decrease the duration of repair times at the manufacturer.

In conclusion, the LRT EP has delivered a significant overall uplift in capability to Defence, providing a more sustainable and versatile overall system with equipment that can be tailored to specific threats and be rapidly deployed throughout the world. Whether it is standing commitments to the NATO Reaction Force, a deployment to Op HERRICK or the possibility of assistance to the civil authorities during the 2012 London Olympics; the Jt CBRN Regt can be confident that the LRT is well designed and equipped to operate in the current environment and adapt to future threats as they emerge.


CBRN Policyby Hannah Moore-Barton (Assistant Head Strategic Analysis, CBRN Policy)

CBRN Policy is responsible for formulating the MoD’s high level policy to counter the threat from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. CBRN Pol chairs the CBRN Threat Panel, whose role is to provide the MoD with assessments, endorsed by the Defence CBRN community, of the CBRN threat to UK armed forces deployed overseas. These

assessments should guide the development of MoD policy and the capability planning for all Heads of Capability, and ensure that the development of CBRN defence capability is based only on threat assessments endorsed by the Threat Panel. The Threat Panel has membership from across the MoD, Dstl, the Surgeon General’s HQ and Defence Intelligence.

Much of the work of the Threat Panel in the last six months has focussed on moving away from traditional ‘threat’-based discussions of CBRN, to ‘risk’-based assessments. This allows for an approach to strategic planning which takes into account the impact of potential attacks, rather than focussing only on the likelihood, and is in line with the approach taken by the Cabinet Office when looking at threats to the UK in the National Risk Assessment.

Work has also been done by CBRN Pol to update the Counter-CBRN

Policy Framework, the document that outlines the six activities – arms control, preventing supply, deterrence, disablement, protection and elimination – which define the MoD’s contribution to the cross-Government effort to counter the CBRN threat. For a copy or for more information, please contact Hannah Moore-Barton, Assistant Head Strategic Analysis, CBRN Policy, CBRNPol-SAAsstHd @mod.uk or 0207 218 2714.

CBRN Doctrine ArchitectureThe accompanying schematic shows the current and planned architec-ture for CBRN doctrine from 2010 onwards. Note that, at the strate-gic level, UK doctrine is identical to NATO doctrine through the common platform of Allied Joint Publication 3.8/Joint Defence Publication 3-61. However, through the operational and tactical levels, separate UK and NATO document chains will target generalist or discrete audiences. For further information on the current development of CBRN doctrinal pub-lications, contact Lt Cdr Tim Briggs-Mould, Jt Cap FP3a, on 94333 Ext 4243.


cbrn newsletter - issue 10 (vol 3) july...

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