Nuclear, biological and chemical hazards: Exchange on the topic of decontamination of persons among federal and cantonal experts
If individuals or entire groups of people come into contact with radioactive or problematic chemical substances in the event of an accident, the substances deposited on clothing and skin must be removed as quickly and properly as possible to prevent further damage. Over 170 experts in nuclear, biological and chemical threats from the cantons and the federal government took part in the annual NBC Protection Switzerland conference in Bern, organized by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), and exchanged views on the challenges of decontaminating people.
Decontamination is usually carried out in several steps, by removing items of clothing that have come into contact with the substances, by showering or cleaning the skin or wounds. In addition to protecting the affected persons, decontamination also serves to prevent further spread of the problematic substances. The requirements are particularly high when a large group of people need to be decontaminated, for example after a chemical incident or an attack involving radioactive substances. The civil protection and health authorities need specially trained personnel, protective equipment, materials and operational concepts in order to successfully deal with such situations.
The NBC decontamination concept in force in Switzerland is currently being revised by experts in order to cover more scenarios, including armed conflicts and earthquakes. In addition, the processes are being adapted to the current structures of the healthcare system and civil protection. The ongoing work on this was a focus of the NBC protection conference.
Those present were also able to view various decontamination equipment. A speaker from the German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) also demonstrated the challenges involved in treating contaminated patients. The high number of conference participants confirms the importance and great interest of authorities and emergency organizations in the exchange of information in the NBC field.
NBC protection as a joint task
Within the FOCP, the National Emergency Operations Center and Incident Management, Civil Protection and Training and the Spiez Laboratory perform important NBC protection functions. The FOCP also operates the NBC Protection Office to network the players in NBC protection. These include the Federal NBC Exchange Platform (APABC), the Federal Commission for NBC Protection (KomABC) and the Cantonal NBC Coordination Platform (KPABC).
