Detection exercise. The course will offer a basic introduction to the use of individual protective equipment and to monitoring, detection and decontamination.
Kuopio, Finland, 8–12 September 2008
The Government of Finland and the OPCW will organise a training course on assistance and protection against chemical weapons at the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) in Kuopio, Finland from 8 to 12 September 2008.
The course will train up to 20 participants in planning and building a support team in civilian protection and rescue operations in contaminated areas, as well as in appropriate responses, including countermeasures, to incidents involving chemical warfare agents. Lectures will also address issues relating to chemical warfare and riot control agents and the medical effects of chemical warfare agents.
The course will offer a basic introduction to the use of individual protective equipment and to monitoring, detection and decontamination. It will also facilitate the exchange of information and experiences regarding the implementation of Article X of the CWC and provide a forum for discussion of future cooperation among States Parties and what further offers they might make to the OPCW under Article X. The course will conclude with a practical emergency response exercise.
There will also be an introduction to the Finnish Institute for the Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (VERFIN) and the National Authority of Finland.