The OPCW and Government of Serbia jointly organised and conducted the 8th International Basic Course on Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons from 4 to 8 June 2012 at the NBCD Training Center in Kruševac. Nineteen participants from 19 States Parties* took part. The course concentrated on practical training for first responders responsible for assistance and protection against chemical weapons and covered the following:
- planning and establishing a support team to protect civilian populations against chemical weapons;
- mounting rescue operations in contaminated areas;
- responding to incidents involving chemical warfare agents;
- using individual and collective protective equipment;
- using monitoring, detection, and decontamination techniques; and
- taking samples.
The course reviewed the assistance that OPCW and Serbia can offer and facilitated the exchange of information and experiences regarding implementation of Article X of the Convention. It also provided an opportunity for discussion of future cooperation and offers made by Member States to the OPCW under Article X.
* Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Panama, Philippines, Romania, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vietnam