Last week saw a team from the UK National CBRN Centre deliver a 5-day Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Operational and Tactical Command Course to 18 members from across Gibraltar’s Emergency Services, responding partners and the military.

The training was arranged by HM Government of Gibraltar’s Office of Civil Contingencies. The National CBRN Centre, which forms part of Counter Terror Policing brings together all three emergency services at a national level and exists to support, strengthen and assure a consistent emergency response to a CBRN incident. After moving its operations into the Counter Terror Policing network in 2016, National CBRN Centre works to reduce the risk of a CBRN threat within the UK and overseas.

The Minister responsible for Civil Contingencies, the Hon Gilbert Licudi QC MP, said: “I welcome the strong links that have been established between Gibraltar and the National CBRN Centre. It is important to continue to build on Gibraltar’s CBRN capabilities to ensure that the Emergency Services are best prepared to deal with this type of threat. This course also allows the emergency service commanders, responders and wider partners to link in seamlessly with the counter terrorism network in regards to a CBRN incident.”

The Head of the National CBRN Centre, Superintendent Lee Kendrick, addressed the students on their last day of the course and said that whilst there is no suggestion of any threat to Gibraltar or its residents, it is essential that first responders remain prepared for every eventuality. He spoke about his organisation’s continued commitment to support the local emergency services in developing their ability to respond to a suspected CBRN event. Superintendent Kendrick recognised that training courses such as these serve to strengthen closer working relationships with National CBRN Centre and Gibraltar’s Emergency Services and reassures the community of the efforts taken to put their safety first.