Foreword

he UK Government’s preparedness objectives for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) terror attacks are captured under the Prepare pillar of the Home Offi ce Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST). The Home Offi ce ‘Strategic Framework for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response by the Emergency Services’ sets out, in more detail, the strategic requirements for the emergency services to respond to CBRN incidents to meet these objectives. This document, together with the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP)1 and ‘Responding to a CBRN(E) Event: Joint Operating Principles (JOPs)‘ for the Emergency Services’, sets out the operational delivery arrangements, put in place by the emergency services, to deliver the Home Offi ce CBRN preparedness requirements. Following an in-depth review, this operational guidance has been created to replace the Initial Operational Response (IOR) to CBRN Incidents (June 2015) which focused on terrorist incidents involving CBRN agents. Since 2015, the National CBRN Centre (NCBRNC) has collated an informed data set in relation to incidents reported by emergency services across the UK. This data is regularly analysed by specialist intelligence analysts at National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (NCTPHQ) to provide an evidence base to inform CBRN operational guidance. This new guidance, Initial Operational Response to Incidents Suspected to Involve Hazardous Substances or CBRN Materials (January 2023), recognises the majority of potential, or suspected CBRN incidents are not easily categorised at an early stage. It is anticipated that by referencing a broader defi nition of incidents to include criminal, accidental and terrorist intent it will support earlier and more confi dent use of the guidance during IOR, protect the public through live saving activity and maximise safety to fi rst responders. IOR is focused on the activities that the public can immediately do for themselves and actions the emergency services need to undertake during the initial reporting stage and at the scene of an incident involving hazardous substances prior to the arrival of Specialist Operational Response (SOR). assets. The cause of the incident, whether deliberate or accidental, does not need to be known for the principles of IOR to be adopted. If people are exposed or contaminated by a substance the priority remains to save life. Once a hazardous substance or CBRN incident has occurred, specialist resources should be considered to enable a transition from IOR to an effective, safe and proportionate SOR This will continue to save lives and resolve the situation. Effective multi-agency working from the outset, as defi ned by JESIP, will be the key to a successful IOR.

Supt Lee Kendrick (Head of the National CBRN Centre)