Draft CBRNE disaster management policy prepared

The government has prepared draft chemicals, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) Disaster Management Policy aimed at making preparations for quick response in a critical situation as prevailing security calculus is confronted with enhanced threat of use of CBRNE both from state and non state actors, well informed sources told Business Recorder.
This policy is being prepared by the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) on the request of Joint Staff Headquarters. Giving the background, sources said, geo-political changes since Iraq war and 9/11 attacks have given boost to looming threat of employment of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons. Security environment becomes complicated due to enhanced possibility of use of CBRNE weapons by non state actors that are not governed by established international conventions and regimes. Pakistan, because of prevailing security calculus, is confronted with enhanced threat of use of CBRNE weapons both from state and non-state actors. It is, therefore, imperative to evolve an all encompassing national level CBRNE policy for a comprehensive response in a critical situation.
The sources said, National CBRNE Disaster Management Policy will be applicable to all provinces/regions falling within the territorial boundaries of Pakistan. It will be enacted as a law passed by the parliament and provide guidelines for building essential capacities where-ever required to manage the CBRNE threat efficiently. CBRNE threat from a state party would manifest in the event of an international conflict situation Multiple and persistent attacks with a variety of CBRNE weapons would be a worst case scenario.
Being benign and covert in nature, threat from non-state actor (s) will have most dangerous consequences as it will be difficult to distinguish between friend and foe, the sources quoted SPD's draft policy.
According to sources, Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) have short lived effects. Production methods are straightforward and raw material readily/ legally available. Biological Warfare Agents (BWA) can be produced / delivered to affect the population, agriculture, live stock and water resources to spread disruption of normal civic life, Radiological Device is a weapon of psychological effect and almost no potential to cause significant damage.
Attack(s) by nuclear weapons would emanate from state(s) who possess this technology. However, radioactive sources being used in the field of medicine, agriculture and industry can be used in a crude device. Also, behind greater agenda, terrorists may attempt an attack on a nuclear power plant to remove the fissile material or affect a damage which would result in radioactivity.
SPD argues that the policy should be economically affordable initially and sustainable over long period. Available resources should be revamped / re-organised including creation of a nation-wide Volunteers Corps'. An action plan would be prepared by NDMA and funded by Federal Government. Multi tiered response spreading across the public and private domain would affect the economy.
NDMA would play the lead role and formulate a national plan including creation of an effective organisation duly equipped at different administrative levels/tiers for management of a disaster. These organisations would serve as a nucleus around which other federal and provincial organisations will build upon. Distribution of resources and capacity building plans will be chalked out as part of master response plan.
Proposed DMU would comprise essential elements to operate in CBRNE environment. DMU would comprise the following: (i) an outfit fully equipped and trained in NBC Defence; and (ii) Rescue and Recovery Team (RRT) team holding specialist equipment to rescue people trapped under the debris. NBC Collective Protection Shelters (CPS)- team would hold NBC CPS to house at least 250 to 300 people for 3 to 4 hours and provide medical and other civil administration assistance.
NDMA as a central co-ordination agency responsible to activate all concerned during a CBRNE event / accident. It will have DMU(s) available to it for response within the capital territory. Provisional DMA will be the co-ordinating agency in each province having similar functions as those of NDMA in the centre. It would have following:- SPD would be the focal point for any co-ordination or assistance required from the strategic organisations. SPD would also be responsible for management of any accident / incident within the strategic installation / facility.
An MMIS Centre would be set up by NDMA in collaboration with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting close to the scene / area of CBRNE event / accident (at a safe location) to brief the media about the progress, assistance required and problems being encountered.
Preparation and protection is afforded by providing protection to the buildings, establishing related health care and medical R & D facilities, creating awareness amongst the general public utilising the media, giving protection equipment, discouraging illegal CBRNE related activities, enforcement of relevant laws and support in building disaster management capacity to deal with CBRNE emergency situation(s).