The Preparedness and Resilience against CBRN Terrorism using Integrated Concepts and Equipment (PRACTICE) project will improve the preparedness and resilience of EU Member States and associated countries from an attack by a terrorist group using non-conventional weapons, specifically an attack with CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and/or Nuclear) materials.
Considering that the existing situation is characterised by a fragmented structure in terms of technology, procedures, methods and organisation on a national and EU-level, PRACTICE will develop a new toolbox focusing on:
- Identification, organisation and establishment of knowledge of critical elements in the event structure through studies of a wide selection of scenarios, real incidents and exercises;
- Analysis and identification of gaps in the current response situation, and organisation and integration of the allocated response capabilities or functions in a toolbox of equipment, procedures and methods; and
- An allocated system or public information kit for decision-support, first-responder training and exercise.
These response capabilities are to a great extent universal in character and independent of national organisational structures. The concept and toolbox will therefore provide the EU and its member states with a flexible and integrated system for coordinated response to CBRN terrorist attacks, easily adaptable to various national organisations and regulations. Particular attention will be given to integration and understanding of human factors and societal aspects. The final concept, toolbox and subsystems will be tested and validated. PRACTICE started on May 1st 2011 and will run for 42 months. The consortium consists of a mixture of SMEs, international and national organisations and research and education institutes.
The research leading to the results of PRACTICE has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement n° 261728.
Within the PRACTICE project IB Consultancy is responsible for the dissemination work package, development of the public information kit and working on decontamination procedures and sensor software standards.
For more information on the PRACTICE project please visit their website.