The Hague, 5 April 2002

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland conducted a one-day training course on the medical effects of chemical weapons at the OPCW headquarters in The Hague on 26 March, 2002.

Experts of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, United Kingdom, developed the one-day medical course for chemical weapons protection specialists. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, first-aid-trained inspectors of the Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and a participant from the World Health Organisation took the opportunity to both participate in and to assess this course.

The medical training course was provided in support of those activities of the OPCW, which provide for the coordination and delivery of assistance and protection in the event of the use or the threat of the use of chemical weapons. The course also supports the training of inspectors, operating near hazardous chemicals, such as may be encountered when inspecting former chemical weapons production facilities.

The DSTL course incorporates scenario-based training, both in practical and in tabletop exercises, designed to enhance skills in the delivery of first-response aid and assistance. The format of the one-day course could form the basis for refresher training for the Protection Network-a group of civil protection experts from Member States tasked to recommend and deliver advice to the Secretariat on issues relating to protection against chemical weapons.

The Chemical Weapons Convention now extends its provisions for assistance and protection to over 90% of the world's population. The ability to train first responders has become an imperative, especially in light of concerns about the possible terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction.

OPCW Director-General, José M. Bustani, expressed his appreciation to the United Kingdom for providing the course and for supporting of the Organisation's mandate to provide assistance and protection.