The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will be conducting a nationwide Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) drill to prepare Filipinos for incidents caused by hazardous materials.
BFP 11 chief Randolph V. Arbutante said that the role of BFP is not only limited to fire response but also during CBRNE incidents. He also mentioned that most big companies are using hazardous chemicals in their operations and thus, threat to hazardous material disasters are more likely to happen.
Arbutante cited the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in Japan that could have cost thousands of lives if people are not prepared on what to do during hazardous disasters. CBRNE aims to prepare people, especially the factory workers that are using hazardous chemicals in their operations, on what to do whenever there are chemical explosions and also, to equip Filipino during real CBRNE attack in the country.
The drill is an interagency activity that will involve PNP Explosive Division, DENR-EMB, Office of Civil Defense and the Philippine Army. It will be evaluated by the United States Department of Defense – Defense Protection Agency.
“The [US] agency has provided us equipment and CBRNE trainings in and abroad to capacitate us in responding to CBRNE disasters,” said Arbutante.
The nationwide CBRNE drill will start on July 24 in Manila, 25th in Cebu and in Davao on the 26th.
