?? PROJECT NEWS | Study Visit to Norway for On-Scene Commanders Advances CBRN Incident Response Capacities in the GCC countries

In times when CBRN-related risks are on the rise, a delegation of CBRN Incident On-Scene Commanders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates visited the Norwegian National Unit for CBRNE Medicine, Oslo, Norway to advance their capacities on responding to CBRN incidents.

Funded by the European Union EU in Emergencies in the frame of EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Project 116, the study visit, which ran from 14-16 September 2026, provided the participants an important opportunity to:

·        observe practical command and control systems for CBRN Medical Response operations during a national CBRN Medical Response exercise in Oslo.

·        share historic and current CBRN response case studies from Europe and the GCC Countries, including current response experiences gained during ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region.

·        coordinate CBRN casualty management with hospitals, medical experts and other agencies.

The study visit offered a unique opportunity to exchange with representatives from the European Union, the Norwegian CBRNE Medicine specialists, the GCC partner countries, the Regional EU CBRN CoE Secretariat for the GCC countries, and the ISTC (International Science and Technology Center) on how to further develop the Project 116 “Course for CBRN Incident On-Scene Commanders”.

The course is intended to deepen advanced knowledge for experienced incident commanders, emergency responders and instructors with operational experience in managing incidents on-scene. It will strengthen the leadership, decision-making and coordination capabilities of Incident Commanders operating in complex CBRN environments. The course will also enhance capabilities to coordinate CBRN casualty management with hospitals, medical experts and other agencies.

Project 116 “Advanced Capacity Building for Medical Preparedness and Response to CBRN Incidents and Biological Threats in the Gulf Country Cooperation (GCC) Countries” is funded by the European Union and implemented in close partnership with the GCC partner countries, Regional EU CBRN CoE Secretariat for the GCC Countries, UNICRI - United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute and ISTC. The project builds on the achievements of EU CBRN CoE Project 82, “Capacity Building for Medical Preparedness and Response to CBRN Incidents in the GCC”, further underlining the continued importance and high level of attention given to medical preparedness and response to CBRN incidents in the GCC region.

Participants reaffirmed their strong commitment to Project 116 and agreed on the structure of the Course For CBRN Incident On-Scene Commanders.

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