July 28, 2023
Testing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) technology is no easy feat – but it’s made easier with friends. That’s why Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is getting military personnel and scientists from around the world to put on their protective suits and get their gloves dirty at Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE (EX PR) 2023.
EX PR is a NATO science-based exercise that has been taking place in DRDC’s Suffield Research Centre since 2004. Every year, allies from around the world come to Canada to test, challenge, and coordinate scientific capabilities in realistic CBRN scenarios.
A member from Denmark takes part in the pilot decon trial
A member from Netherlands takes part in the pilot decon trial
Currently, two scientists in different countries may have different steps for how to handle the same CBRN material. By observing each country’s procedures and understanding the theory behind process variations, DRDC can provide scientific guidance to better align processes worldwide.
“Nations can have completely different approaches to the same scenario,” says Scott Holowachuk, scientist at Suffield Research Centre. “When they come here, and everyone works together, they’re able to learn from each other and leave with new, more developed approaches.”
DRDC Suffield staff observe Denmark decon procedures.
This year, one goal was to examine the variations in participating countries’ decontamination procedures, with the hopes of eventually establishing a common, multi-national decontamination line. CBRN specialists from 14 NATO countries went through their typical decontamination steps in a controlled environment and were sampled for how effective their individual process is compared to other countries. The data derived from these comparisons will help in the development of science-based guidance for decontamination best practices.
German medical team run through their casualty decontamination process
EX PR presents Canada’s NATO allies with an opportunity to validate new equipment, kits, and technologies in an international test bed that cannot be replicated elsewhere, thanks to the expertise of DRDC Suffield’s employees, its unique facilities, its live-agent environment, and its remote location. By sharing the burden of scientific testing, Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE prevents duplication efforts, improves value and interoperability of equipment and operations, and allows DRDC to gather more scientific, multi-national data to guide future research and development.
Canadian team deconing one of their own
German medical team run through their casualty decontamination process