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NHS BASED CBRN TRAINING COURSES
Professional Protection Systems and Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust expand on the PPS philosophy of providing exacting customer service through development of training services.

A great deal of money is being currently invested, by governments and other institutions in terrorist response capability. A not insignificant slice of this money is going on the purchase of decontamination technology. For this investment to be effective it is axiomatic that emergency services personnel have to know how to use the equipment and how to maintain it.		  

CBRN Training
Maintenance in particular is an issue because decon technology is essentially about a defensive technology that in most cases will never have to be used, save of course for the smallerpurpose built units deployed at events like hazmat incidents. Because of this there will always be an understandable tendency for hard-pressed and over-stretched personnel to marginalize the need for regular checks on the incident-readiness of equipment in this category, especially when they have so much else that seems to be more immediate, if not more important, on their plates.

These checks can be likened to lifeboat drills and maintenance. The fact that the ship will probably never sink doesn’t mean that there is no need for regular checks and maintenance to ensure that the boats can be launched if necessary.
It is the same with decon equipment. Professional Protection Systems (PPS), one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of decontamination solutions, have devised a high specification maintenance programme for decon technology that addresses this problem by putting into place simple and easy to follow routines. It is a programme essentially applicable to most decon units to be found in service anywhere in the world .It addresses maintenance in depth, putting the smallest details under the microscope whilst also offering depth in terms of time.

Whilst assisting the users of the PPS equipment with their planned maintenance schedules for decon equipment, PPS have joined forces with Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust to further support the growing NHS client base of PPS equipment. Together they have formed a joint venture to provide CBRN training courses to the NHS, the two initial courses are:
  • CBRN MANAGEMENT
  • CBRN PRACTITIONER

The 2-Day residential CBRN MANAGEMENT course builds upon the experience of Lancashire Ambulance Service in delivering the MIMMS (Major Incident Medical Management & Support) courses to Senior Emergency personnel throughout the UK. Attending the CBRN MANAGEMENT course with Lancashire Ambulance Service/PPS will ensure upon successful completion that delegates will have the relevant knowledge required to effectively interact with other agencies at the scene of a CBRN Incident. Tabletop and group discussions take place, along with lectures.

Upon successful completion of the course, delegates will be able to:

  • Describe the mechanisms of harm from hazardous materials
  • Explain the full decontamination process
  • Appreciate the staff welfare, safety and logistical issues surrounding decontamination
  • Plan a safe and effective decontamination area
  • Initiate appropriate clean up operations following closure of decontamination
  • Define the other agencies who will have an interest in the management of the incident


The CBRN PRACTITIONER course compliments the supply of PPS equipment by providing a one day course in the safe and correct application of the decon equipment. Upon successful completion of the 1-Day CBRN PRACTITIONER course, delegates will be able to:

  • Describe the layout of the decontamination area and the setting up of the decontamination unit
  • Describe the mechanisms of harm from hazardous materials
  • Demonstrate the triage and decontamination process
  • Assemble, wear and remove the Chemical protection suit in a safe manner
  • Explain the systems for dealing with belongings, effluent and staff welfare
  • Strip down the decontamination equipment and safely decontaminate or dispose of the constituent parts
The inaugural CBRN MANAGEMENT course is scheduled to be held in Preston on the 20/21 May 2004, this course will be delivered by a multi-displinary faculty team, including representatives of the Ambulance Service, along with Dr Nick Gent, Consultant in Health Protection of the HPU (North West).

This collaboration is an excellent example of the public and private sector working together to deliver a joint response to the provision of CBRN TRAINING to the NHS. Whilst PPS have demonstrated their capability and need for robust maintenance and service plans for decon equipment, they have not neglected the need for sufficient training to be provided in the use of their products. This is further testament of the forward thinking attitude of both organisations to think beyond their own capabilities to deliver to the NHS a valuable and cost-effective means of obtaining CBRN based training.

Further information on the courses can be obtained from Andrew Sullivan, Training Manager for Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust on 01772 773017 or Cathy Mackie, Professional Protection Systems, Protection House, Sherbourne Drive, Tilbrook, Milton Keynes, Bucks, ENGLAND. MK7 8AP. t 01908 287123, f 01908 583741 Email: sales@ppsgb.com
 
PROFESSIONAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS, Protection House, Sherbourne Drive, Tilbrook, Milton Keynes, Bucks, ENGLAND. MK7 8HX
Tel: +44 (0) 1908 272240 - Fax : +44 (0) 1908 371605 - Email: sales@ppsgb.com
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