OPCW	Secretariat
International Cooperation and Assistance Division
S/302/2002
2 May 2002
ENGLISH only
(Unofficial electronic version)

NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT

SWEDISH ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION TRAINING COURSE

REVINGE, SWEDEN 5 – 23 AUGUST 2002

1.         On behalf of the Government of Sweden and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Director-General wishes to invite Member States to nominate participants for an assistance and protection training course, which will be held at the Rescue College Revinge, near Malmö, Sweden, from 5 – 23 August 2002.

2.         The course, which is related to the offer made by Sweden, under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to provide assistance and protection against chemical weapons (CW), will be jointly organised by the Government of Sweden and the OPCW Secretariat (hereinafter the “Secretariat”).  The course will provide training in planning for and building up chemical support in the fields of civilian protection and rescue operations in contaminated areas, as well as appropriate responses and countermeasures in the event of a terrorist attack involving toxic chemicals.  It will also give an overview of the Swedish organisation and its capabilities to provide assistance.

3.         The course will provide basic training for CW response teams and planners from other Member States, to assist them in their efforts to establish a basic CW protection capability that will directly benefit the civilian population. The course will draw on Sweden’s extensive experience in planning, preparing for, and providing training in civilian CW protection. Applicants from Member States which do not yet have a civilian CW protection capability will be particularly welcome.  Participants should have a basic technical background, and, given that English is the language of instruction, should also have a good command of written and spoken English.  They should also be physically fit and able to wear individual protective gear for several hours during some practical sessions of the course. The selected candidates will be required to take a medical test before travelling to Sweden.  Some practical experience with CW protective equipment would be desirable.

4.         It is anticipated that the participants will arrive on Sunday 4 August 2002, and will depart on Sunday 24 August 2002.  Participants are requested to obtain any necessary visas (including transit visas) before travelling to Sweden.  The Secretariat expects to be able to sponsor a limited number of candidates, to cover their travel costs. When proposing candidates for the course, Member States should specify whether such sponsorship is a precondition for their participation. The course materials, as well as accommodation and all meals during the course, will be provided.  Further details regarding accommodation, the course venue, and transportation will be issued to participants at a later date.

5.                 Interested Member States are invited to complete the nomination form contained in annex 1 to this Note, giving the full name and address (including fax and telephone numbers, and e-mail address, if available) of each nominee, together with his/her affiliation and area(s) of expertise.  The completed nomination form, together with a brief curriculum vitae of each nominee, should be submitted to the Assistance and Protection Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division as soon as possible, but not later than 31 May 2002, to allow sufficient time for the Secretariat and the Swedish authorities to make the necessary arrangements.  In the meantime, Member States are requested to inform the International Cooperation and Assistance Division of any administrative or other problems that may arise in relation to the attendance of any nominee.

6.                 A tentative schedule for the training course is contained in annex 2 to this Note. Further details of the arrangements will be issued as soon as the International Cooperation and Assistance Division receives confirmation from the participants that they will attend the course. Any questions in this regard may be addressed to the Assistance and Protection Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division:

Tel.:         +31 (0)70 416 3555; 416 3823

Fax:          +31 (0)70 306 3535

E-mail:     EmergAssistBr@opcw.org

Annexes:

Annex 1:   Nomination form

Annex 2:   Tentative programme schedule

Annex 1

NOMINATION FORM

Swedish Assistance and Protection Training Course

Revinge, Sweden 5 – 23 August 2002

Please submit the completed form to: Assistance and Protection Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, NL-2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands.

Fax: +31-(0)70-306 3535; e-mail: EmergAssistBr@opcw.org

Please use BLOCK LETTERS.

Details of nominee

1.            Family name      ………………………………………………………………

2.           First name(s)                   ………………………………………………………………

3.      Gender                            ………………………………………………………………

4.      Date of birth                   ………………………………………………………………

5.      Present address               ………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………

6.         Telephone                    ……………………………………………………………….

7.         Fax                              ……………………………………………………………….

8.         E-mail                          ……………………………………………………………….

9.         Nationality                   ……………………………………………………………….

10.       Passport no.                 ………………………………………………………………

11.       Date of issue                ………………………………………………………………

12.       Date of expiry              .……..……………………………………………………….

13.       Place of issue               ………………………………………………………………

14.       Affiliation                    …………………………………………………………..…..

16.       Nominated by: .………………………………………………………………………

17.       Signed: ………………………………....          Date: …………………..……......

Annex 2

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Swedish Assistance and Protection Training Course

Revinge, Sweden

5 – 23 August 2002

WEEK 1    

Monday:         Introduction to the training programme and facilities

                        Goals and objectives of the training

Introduction to the CWC, the OPCW, and to emergency assistance

                        Practical field demonstration

Tuesday:         Chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals

Swedish civilian protection system and equipment

Decontamination and decontamination systems

Wednesday:   Personal protection: Protection System 2000; handling, air-tightness checks

                        Introduction to the Swedish Chemical Support Team

Thursday:       Decontamination: equipment and decon areas

Friday:            Medical preparedness: toxicology and CW treatment

Sunday:           Study visit

WEEK 2

Monday:         Protection and detection: CW tactics

Study visit to chemical plant in Perstorp AB

Tuesday:           Detection: systems, methods, capability, instruments, handling

Detection: tactics and techniques

Wednesday:   Detection: instruments and field training

                        Mobile systems: GARDS

Thursday:       Introduction to the Municipal Rescue Services System: organisation, planning, protecting people, shelter

Study visit to RSS Lund

Friday:            Introduction to Swedish Coast Guard: system, organisation, planning activities, equipment

Saturday:        Study visit

WEEK 3

Monday:         Support team planning activities: case studies and  preparations

                        Biological agents: threats, protection, detection, and vaccination

Tuesday:         Biological agents: “Gnorsk” case study

                        Rescue operations: unknown chemicals and field exercise

Wednesday:   Special training in training area

                        Protection, detection, and decontamination exercises

Thursday:       Rescue operations: air attack and field exercise

Friday:            Evaluation of the course: discussion

                        Closing