Medical first responders engaged in emergent chemical incident simulations last month during a training course designed to educate first responders in emergency medical situations involving toxic chemical contamination held in Madrid, Spain and hosted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) Technical Secretariat and the Government of Spain.
Course attendees received training on the types and effects of toxic chemical agents and associated toxic chemicals. Additional course topics included elements of a successful operation in contaminated areas, the use of individual protective equipment, first aid, and pre-hospital care for victims of chemical attacks.
A total of 20 participants representing 19 OPCW member states were selected to attend the event.
This training course will be followed by an advanced medical training event for emergency physicians and related medical professionals in China in September 2018.
OPCW serves as the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Entered into force in 1997, the convention represents the most-successful disarmament treaty in history targeting an entire class of weapons. It is the most successful disarmament treaty targeting an entire class of weapons of mass destruction in history.
To date, approximately 95 percent of all chemical weapons stockpiles declares by OPCW’s 192 member states have been destroyed under the organization’s verification.