Responding to emergencies involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) hazards: Information for emergency responders about public responses to CBRN incidents. (original) (raw)

The public’s reaction to incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) hazards will have a significant impact on the overall effectiveness of the professional response. This booklet provides scientifically tested guidance and information designed to make CBRN-related responses more effective by improving emergency responders’ knowledge of why, what, and how to communicate with members of the public about CBRN hazards. Who is it for? This booklet is for organisations and individuals responsible for communicating orengaging with members of the public during contamination incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) hazards. This information would be useful for emergency responders (and non-specialised staff) from all emergency services (police, fire and ambulance), public health authorities, hospital staff, non-state organisations involved in emergency response (e.g. Red Cross, conference centre security staff), and others. For what purpose? This information booklet helps emergency responders to effectively engage with members of the public about CBRN incidents, in particular through appropriate communication. Th response of members of the public to incidents involving CBRN hazards has a significant impact on the overall effectiveness of the professional response to such events. Public engagement before, during and after a CBRN incident can increase levels of public preparedness by creating a shared and improved understanding of CBRN incidents and the likely response to such incidents by members of the public. An improved understanding of CBRN incidents and emergency response procedures can increase the likelihood of members of the public becoming active partners in the emergency response process, resulting in improved health outcomes. What is in it? This information booklet improves engagement with members of the public by improving the emergency responders’ knowledge of what, how and why to communicate with members of the public about CBRN incidents. Specifically, the booklet sheds light on: • Public understanding of CBRN threats • Public behaviour in response to CBRN incidents • Public information needs in relation to CBRN incident emergency response procedures • Public engagement and communication preferences in relation to CBRN incidents and procedures • What emergency responders can do to effectively engage with members of the public whilst still prioritising the practical and logistical aspects of the response How to use it? This information booklet provides insight and guidance into public responses to CBRN incidents. The booklet is designed to facilitate engagement with the public. This booklet can be: • Used as a stand-alone document or – most effectively – in combination with the public information booklet (go to www.practice-fp7-security.eu). • Distributed to staff and partner organisations responsible for responding to CBRN incidents. • Displayed in hard copy or made available on the websites of emergency response organisations, local authorities and other institutions. When to use it? This information booklet is designed for use in the preparatory and response phases of CBRN incidents. In the preparatory phase, this booklet can help prioritise long-term training needs and efforts. In the response phase, the booklet can help ensure that key messages are effectively communicated to members of the public. We are happy to provide our tools for free when used by academic institutions, public sector emergency response organisations, government and public sector health organisations, schools, and charitable organisations. These organisations will need to cover the costs of adaptation and printing. In light of our public funding, the commercial use of the product by third parties is not allowed without our explicit consent. All parties should seek guidance from KCL as the information contained within the products is UK-based and will, potentially, need to undergo adaptation. We must be cited in all instances when our products are used. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 261728.