The Government of Singapore and the OPCW jointly organised the training from 14 to 17 November 2011 with support from the Singapore Customs and Civil Defence Forces. The course was attended by 23 experts from 18 States Parties.*
The course was held at the Civil Defence Academy, which has custom-designed, high-tech training facilities with computer-controlled simulators like the LPG bullet tank fire-fighting simulator, chemical plants, and a nine-story fire fighting and rescue training tower. These facilities provide realistic indoor and outdoor training in fire-fighting, rescue and HazMat.
The course agenda included a basic introduction to the use of protective equipment against toxic chemicals and to monitoring, detection, and decontamination techniques. Participants acquired general knowledge of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals, of individual protective equipment, and of detection and decontamination equipment, as well as an understanding of how the equipment is used. The training also facilitated the exchange of information and experiences regarding implementation of Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and provided an overview of what kinds of assistance the OPCW, host country and Member States in Asia can offer in case of a chemical emergency.
* Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, and Vietnam.