"Understanding Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) defense policies is critical in promoting safety to civilian and military personnel in the United States and globally. This thesis first examines a few of the most significant CBRNE policies in history, their place in the world today, and how their creation has impacted society. Utilizing two canonical policy making models– the “linear model” and the “policy stream model”– a range of case studies are analyzed to examine how decision-making behind CBRNE policy compares with other comparable policy domains, particularly non-CBRNE biotechnology innovation. The likelihood of proactivity and the potential influence of foreign affairs across cases were assessed. The results of these studies suggest that, compared with non-CBRNE biotechnology policies, CBRNE policies in the United States are similarly likely to be driven by foreign events (approximately half the time in the cases examined), but they were slightly more likely to be reacting to external events rather than proactively addressing possible risks (43% of CBRNE cases examined were proactive, compared to 50% of biotechnology cases). These suggestive patterns merit further research to test whether they hold over a wider scope of cases."--Abstract.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) events have the potential to destabilize governments, create conditions that exacerbate violence or promote terrorism. This can trigger global repercussions. These events can quickly overwhelm the infrastructure and capability of the responders, especially in countries that do not have the specialized resources for response like those available in the United States. When a CBRNE incident occurs in a partner nation or other foreign country, the U.S. is often called upon to provide assistance. Interoperability - the ability to work together - among U.S. agencies, foreign governments, and responders involved in the effort is key to an efficient response. The effectiveness of the U.S. response and approach to CBRNE events in partner nations depends on the capability of the U.S. government to provide timely and appropriate assistance and the resilience of the partner nation to a CBRNE event. An All-of-Government Approach to Increase Resilience for International Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Events is the summary of a workshop convened in June 2013 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Research Council to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S. ability to prepare for and respond to CBRNE events that occur in U.S. partner nations. The workshop brought together diverse experts and stakeholders to identify capabilities that are necessary for responding to an international CBRNE event; discuss best practices and resources needed for improved interoperability of the U.S. and partner nation during response to a CBRNE event; and identify key questions that need to be addressed in follow up activities focused on improving U.S. CBRNE response in partner nations.

After the outbreak of the wars in Ukraine and Palestine, CBRNe threats are sadly back in the news. This book, based on the first-hand experience of the author, a researcher in the field, reports on recent advances in selected topics and describes current scientific case studies, focusing on the role of actors in the response to CBRNe incidents, the reaction to severe events in major cities, with special reference to immediate investigation and effective communication, and modern laser spectroscopy systems that, using quantum technology and artificial intelligence, enable the rapid and non-contact detection, identification and monitoring of chemical warfare agents and explosive precursors, even at great distances.

Originating in the armed forces of the early 20th century, weapons based on chemical, biological or nuclear agents have become an everpresent threat that has not vanished after the end of the cold war. Since the technology to produce these agents is nowadays available to many countries and organizations, including those with terrorist aims, civil authorities across the world need to prepare against incidents involving these agents and train their personnel accordingly. As an introductory text on NBC CBRN weapons and agents, this book leads the reader from the scientific basics to the current threats and strategies to prepare against them. After an introductory part on the history of NBC CBRN weapons and their international control, the three classes of nuclear/radiological, biological, and chemical weapons are introduced, focusing on agents and delivery vehicles. Current methods for the rapid detection of NBC CBRN agents are introduced, and the principles of physical protection of humans and structures are explained. The final parts addresses more general issues of risk management, preparedness and response management, as the set of tools that authorities and civil services will be needed in a future CBRN scenario as well as the likely future scenarios that authorities and civil services will be faced with in the coming years. This book is a must-have for Health Officers, Public Health Agencies, and Military Authorities.

Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) weapons in the hands of a terrorist or a rogue state is one of the greatest threats to the security of the United States. These weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) can cause catastrophic loss of life and innumerable injuries and challenge the US health system beyond its capacity to provide care. Most hospitals do not have the beds, equipment, staff, or facilities to adequately respond to a WMD event.Compounding this problem is that many people who have minimal or no exposure to a CBRN agent will seek medical care and slow down medical treatment of genuinely affected patients. These "worried well" patients may comprise as many as 20 times the number of "legitimate" patients and may become one of the most difficult aspects in dealing with WMD events. This paper is an examination of the worried well phenomenon. It looks at three CBRN events that are often noted for unaffected masses seeking medical care--the Goiania Radiation Incident, the Aum Shinrikyo Attack, and the Anthrax Letters Incident.The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, this paper provides a better understanding of the worried well response. The literature often contains bold proclamations of the problem without a substantial analysis, and researchers cite cases but fail to provide any in-depth study of them. This paper provides a closer examination of the cases and shows that the worried well response is neither irrational nor characterized by panic. Instead when examined from informational, medical, and psychological perspectives, the worried well response is largely a rational reaction.The second purpose of this paper is to provide a strategy to mitigate the worried well response in CBRN events. Admittedly, it is beyond the scope of this paper to provide a detailed worried well response plan for every possible CBRN event. This paper, however, does provide the basic elements to reduce the response and still provide proper health care for everyone affected by a CBRN event.CASE STUDIES * The Goiania Incident * The Aum Attack * Anthrax Letters Incident * UNDERSTANDING THE WORRIED WELL * Information Explanations for the Worried Well * Government Directions * Media Reports * Medical Explanations for the Worried Well * Group 1. People who were exposed and had minor symptoms requiring minimal or no medical care * Group 2. People who may have been exposed but had no clear physical symptoms related to the event or an organic etiology * Group 3. People who could not possibly have been exposed but came to the hospital seeking care for imagined illnesses or prevention * Group 4. Those hoping to profit either financially or emotionally * Group 5. Those experiencing stress disorders * Psychological Explanations for the Worried Well * Looking for Answers * RESPONDING TO THE LOW RISK PATIENT RESPONSE * Re-Thinking the Worried Well * Pre-CBRN Event Preparation * Community Involvement * Partner with the Media * Develop Trusted Agents * Prepare alternate communication channels * Post-CBRN Event: Preventing LRPs from Seeking Immediate Care * Tier 1: Prevent LRPs from Seeking Care * Tier 2: Stop LRPs at the Door * Tier 3: Comprehensive Medical Care * Other Considerations: Security and Liability coverage * LRP Response Plan Summary * CONCLUSIONS * APPENDIX: PROBLEMS ESTIMATING THE WORRIED WELL RESPONSE * APPENDIX: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE * BIBLIOGRAPHY

"This Manual expands upon the guidance in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 10-2501, Air Force Emergency Management (EM) Program Planning and Operations. It also aligns the Air Force (AF) with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5), the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF). This Manual integrates operational approaches to conventional and irregular warfare passive defense and consequence management operations using Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) materials. This Manual provides standards for planning, logistical requirements, emergency response actions, emergency response organizational guidelines, exercises and evaluations, personnel training, detection, identification, warning and notification actions. It establishes responsibilities, procedures and standards for prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation resulting from conventional or irregular attacks using CBRNE materials. Within the context of this document prevention action which are not referenced in the document are taken throughout preparedness phase of incident management to protect lives and property through the use of intelligence, inspections, vulnerability assessments and improved security methods in order to prevent or lessen the effects of attacks. This Manual includes CBRNE procedures for use both within the continental United States (CONUS) and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). Its prescribed planning process helps responders to achieve unity of effort, allocate and use resources effectively and identify shortfalls in their response capabilities. This publication applies to Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard (ANG) units worldwide"--Pages 1-2.