The training of Firemen specialized in NBCR risks : example of the Bologna Province Fire Brigade
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In Italy firemen are part of a national coordinated structure, able to operate throughout the whole territory, and are managed by Province and Regional Headquarters.
They are part of the Ministry of the Interior and within the scope of public emergency interventions are competent in the field of Civil Defence. They also represent one of the main actors in Civil Protection.
After the attack on the Twin Towers in N.Y., like most other nations, Italy took increasing interest in possible terrorist attacks that could make use of explosive devices and non-conventional substances, especially of a nuclear, biological and chemical nature.
For this reason, the Firemen, who had already had considerable training for eventual nuclear and chemical emergencies, at a civil and industrial level, developed specific techniques for NBCR interventions and acquired specific technical equipment and vehicules.
The Bologna Province Fire Brigade carried out the basic training for the whole operating staff and developed several high-level training courses. These courses were also attended by the Military Police Force and State Police as well as by the Emergency Medical Service.
The preparation of the staff of the regional Unit of the Bologna NBCR was tested in several simulations at the International Airport "G.Marconi" and Ospedale Maggiore of Bologna.
Newsletter 7 on Workshop 6: Risk management and training
