A Basic Course for specialists to respond to chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) was held from 10 to 14 June 2013 at the System for Central American Integration (SICA) Secretariat in San Salvador, with the participation of 17 experts from 7 States Parties* in the sub region.
The OPCW, SICA and CWC National Authority of El Salvador co-organised the course as part of a long-term project that was launched in Honduras in 2012. The project aims to develop the capabilities of States Parties in Central America to protect against chemical weapons and incidents with TICs, with a view to creating a response team for the sub-region.
The participants acquired general knowledge of chemical warfare agents and TICs, individual protective equipment, and detection and decontamination equipment. Emergency response procedures were discussed and tested in a table-top exercise. The training course also facilitated the exchange of information and experiences among the participants in regard to implementation of Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and on regional cooperation issues.
* Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama