Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents are happening, and the threat continues to increase.
These low-likelihood, high-consequence events can be accidental, naturally occurring, or deliberate, with catastrophic effects and no warning. That’s why the CBRN program in the Office of Specialized Capabilities (CG-721) is ensuring Coast Guard members are ready for a range of threats and scenarios.
That readiness begins early in members’ careers. For the fifth year in a row, Coast Guard Academy graduates have received CBRN qualifications to go with their fresh diplomas. That Academy training, now a regular part of the Ensign Transition Course, began as a pilot program organized by CG-721.
Building on the success of that CBRN Training, the Coast Guard Academy offered a CBRN elective course for the first time this year as part of the new Emergency Management Minor. Taught by Chemical & Environmental Sciences Department Chair Dr. Josh Gray, the course explored the science of CBRN agents, lessons in emergency management, and brought in a range of guest speakers with hands-on experience in dealing with these threats.
Gray capped off the course with a simulation exercise that required students to manage a government response to a fictional chemical/biological attack. The course was quite popular, he said, and will be offered again next Spring.
All the while, says CWMD Program Manager Tom Murphy, units should make sure they are up to date on their CBRN training. “You never know what the next disaster is going to be, so being prepared is really important,” Gray explained. “Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.”
Are you ready?
Check your unit’s compliance status on the CWMD/CBRN Audits, Inspections, and Assessment (AIA) Dashboard. To conduct the training self-assessment or upload responses, click here. For more information on the Coast Guard CBRN program, click here. If you have any questions, please contact your unit’s CBRN coordinator.
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