Mass Decontamination / New Dimensions

The Norfolk Fire Service has taken delivery of its new Incident Response Unit (IRU) that will be deployed in the event of a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear) attack. The IRU also provides Norfolk Fire Service with an added capability to deal with non-terrorist CBRN incidents, such as chemical spills.

Each of the IRUs contains two mass decontamination units capable of decontaminating 400 people an hour. They also come equipped with firefighter decontamination equipment, gas tight suits and disrobe and re-robe packs. A range of communications systems have been fitted to the vehicles which will allow Norfolk Fire Service to liaise easily with other emergency services, and will ensure national coverage.

Attleborough firefighters undertook their Mass Decontamination training late last year and refresher training in March 2004. This refresher training will continue indefinitely ensuring that should the need arise; the firefighters at Attleborough will be up to the task.

80 IRUs throughout the UK are based at fire stations chosen on the basis of a thorough risk assessment, with some vehicles available as reserves. The Fire and Rescue Service National Co-ordination Centre will monitor the operational status of the IRUs, so that the units can be deployed flexibly in response to changes in risk. The new units will be fully operational from 30 April once a training programme is completed. Fire and Rescue Service personnel are currently receiving instruction in the use of the IRUs and their equipment at the Fire Service College and via local training.

The IRUs are funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) as part of the Government's £56 million investment in mass decontamination capability. Up to £132 million will be made available for the procurement of additional vehicles and equipment for urban search and rescue, command and control, high volume pumping and water rescue.

Photos are from the refresher training undertaken alongside Wymondham and Hethersett Crews.