Defence Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre
The Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre (DCBRNC) designs and runs courses that qualify individuals of all 3 services for operational, training and staff CBRN defence appointments.
DCBRNC is located at Winterbourne Gunner, about 5 km north-east of Salisbury, Wiltshire, on the southern edge of Salisbury Plain.
Technical Support Group
The DCBRNC Technical Support Group (TSG) provides important external training and trials functions.
The TSG External Training Team (ETT) provides TRI-SERVICE support with CBRN defence training, assessing collective CBRN defence training at unit level and above. The ETT mission is to facilitate CBRN defence proficiency in units by providing external CBRN technical support through all phases of the training cycle. This can be delivered in bespoke task-specific training packages, including in overseas locations. The TSG has a major role in the role out of the GSR across defence, providing train the trainer instruction at unit locations, and conducting validation checks on the subsequent cascade training.
The trials component of TSG contributes to the development of joint service CBRN defence equipment and procedures, supporting the CBRN Delivery Team and contractors. Members of the TSG are qualified in all aspects of CBRN defence, from CBRN instructor through to cell controller and defence advisor, enabling them to resolve issues associated with incorporating CBRN defence into unit training.
Courses
The Defence CBRN School is the instructional element of the DCBRNC. Its mission is to deliver the UK’s tri-service CBRN Defence Training for Operations on land.
CBRN Defence Adviser
This course is aimed at military personnel within a Brigade, Battlegroup, or deployed operating base who are responsible to the commander for the tactical planning and execution of CBRN defence measures and unit CBRN training.
Objectives
It is designed to train CBRN Defence Advisors operating at SO2/SO3 level.
CBRN Cell Controller (BRACIS)
This course is for military personnel who manage and carry out functions of CBRN Warning and Reporting in control or collection centres.
Objectives
The course includes gathering CBRN data, interpreting that information and issuing subsequent reports on the spread of the threat. It also includes instruction in the provision of timely, processed information to the formation’s CBRN defence advisor.
Counter CBRN Instructor
This course supersedes the CBRN Trainer and Operational Instructor.
The course is aimed at military personnel who are responsible to the Defence Advisor, providing assistance for the tactical planning and execution of CBRN defence measures and delivery of CBRN training to CBRN generalists.
Objectives
The Counter CBRN Instructor course trains personnel to fit and maintain the General Service Respirator (GSR), to operate and maintain in service sense and monitoring equipment, conduct recce and survey, implement CBRN warning measures and maintain hazard management at a CBRN incident site.
CBRN Clinical
The CBRN clinical course is the advanced level CBRN medical course aimed at medical officers, nurses and senior medics. The course covers the main CBRN hazards, using the all-hazards approach, and looks at medical support from point of exposure through to definitive hospital care at Role 3. On completion, candidates will be in date for CBRN clinical for 5 years (some units may require more frequent training periods).
Objectives
be able to manage any casualty in a CBRN environment from point of exposure to role 3
Bespoke Training
It may be possible for DCBRNC to provide bespoke training to military and civilian organisations on an availability basis. Formal requests for training should be directed via the DCBRNC Chief of Staff.
Joint CBRN Medical Faculty
DCBRNC is the home of the Joint CBRN Medical Faculty. The centre also provides CBRN medical training to all medical officers in the UK armed services as well as specialist medical training to UK and NATO/allied nations.
As well as military training, DCBRNC also supports civilian response in partnership with the Health Protection Agency and Department of Health.
The medical training at DCBRNC uses blended learning including interactive presentations, table top exercises, collective training and simulation. The centre now has a dedicated medical training area for pre-hospital training as well as high-fidelity hospital training using the SimMan3G dedicated to CBRN medical management.
The Joint CBRN medical faculty supports development of the medical response to a CBRN incident and the management of CBRN casualties. It is a cross-government group with the remit under the surgeon general to develop CBRN clinical guidance, medical training and research.