German CBRN response capabilities on the federal level (UnterstützungsverBund CBRN)

In the event of threats due to radioactive material or due to chemical or biological substances, Federal or Länder (federal states) authorities can request specialised assistance from the German CBRN response capabilities on the federal level (UnterstützungsverBund CBRN). The UnterstützungsverBund CBRN supports the response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) threats to people and society.

Experts from different federal authorities work closely together in the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN. The UnterstützungsverBund CBRN is available 24/7 and can be integrated, as necessary, into the existing deployment structure.

Tasks and organisation

A key task of the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN is the handling of hazardous situations that are relevant to policing and also radiation protection. In addition, the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN regularly advises Länder authorities and other authorities responsible for the response to nuclear security events on the assessment of incidents.

The Federal Police (BPOL) leads the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN. Further partners in the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN are:

• The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
• The CBRN-Protection Unit of the Bundeswehr (ABCAbwKdoBw)
• The Robert-Koch-Institute (RKI)
• The Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and CBRN Protection (WIS)
• The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)

The tasks of the BfS in the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN

BfS measurement equipment in a Federal Police helicopter is deployed for measuring radiation sources on the ground (exercise situation)

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) advises the authorities of the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN on the radiological aspects of a police situation and supports the response to radiological hazards with equipment and personnel. Among other things, the BfS performs the following tasks:

• Assessing the radiological situation
• Advising the head of operations on radiation protection issues and on the potential hazards due to radioactive substances
• Ensuring the radiation safety of the deployed forces
• Searching, detecting - with measuring devices - and identifying radioactive substances, estimating quantities
• Estimating the dispersion of radioactive substances (e.g. in a scenario involving a dirty bomb)
• Estimating the dose
• Advising on the transport of radioactive substances
• Advising on the implementation of decontamination measures
• Planning and organising training and exercises

Regular exercises

Radiological investigation during a crime scene exercise

The authorities involved in the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN prepare for a possible deployment by taking part in regular exercises and training sessions.

Every year, during at least one exercise, aspects of the response to nuclear security events (NGA) are practiced in a large-scale scenario under radiation protection conditions. Render safe, crime scene management and the decontamination of the deployed forces are important aspects of the exercises.

Background

Until the end of April 2021, experts from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the Federal Police (BPOL) and the BfS cooperated in the Central Federal Support Group for Serious Cases of Nuclear Hazard Defence (ZUB). The ZUB, for example, assisted Hamburg authorities in December 2006 in an operation during which traces of polonium-210 were detected. Read more (in German only): Jahresbericht 2007.

In May 2021 the tasks of the ZUB were transferred to the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN and the ZUB was disbanded.

Interesting facts

The Federal Government's reply to a "minor parliamentary question by the representatives Jan van Aken, Wolfgang Gehrcke, Frank Tempel, other representatives and the parliamentary group DIE LINKE." (Parliamentary Paper 18/7036, in German only) provides a highly condensed overview of the CBRN related obligations and the operational concepts of the involved authorities in the involved former ZUB.