Medical/Hospital CBRNE Defense

Security experts worldwide keep on reminding us that a chemical or radiological terrorist attack is not a matter of "when" but rather a matter of "where". At the same time we all know that all casualties contaminated or not end up at hospitals. So why are hospitals and the health sector is not adequately prepared to counter mass contaminated casualties? Is it a matter of "it will not happen to us" attitude? Is it due to budget restrictions? Is it lack of knowledge and related education? Is it the hard training and time required to achieve an acceptable proficiency? These are some of the questions this publication is addressing based on the hands-on experience of the author who served as Commandant of the Olympic Hospital CBRN Response Unit deployed at the Army General Hospital of Athens, during the 2004 Olympic Games. Unfortunately the unexpected always happens and it is highly advised to remember that is was not raining when Noah build the Ark!