In order to promote integration and encourage cooperation among the different countries of the regional environment, the 1st Exercise on Medical Aspects of Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons (EXBRAMED 2022) was held. The event, the third of its kind managed by Brazil, took place at the Galeão Air Force Hospital, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), between May 23 and 27. The Brazilian experience accumulated in large national events reinforces its position as a reference in the qualification of responders against chemical agents.
During the training, a series of fundamental topics related to the provision of medical assistance in incidents involving chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial agents were covered. The content also included clinical aspects related to pathophysiology, triage, diagnosis, and treatment of exposed victims, as well as medical management of mass casualties and medical coordination of response and mitigation measures.
EXBRAMED 2022 involved an inter-ministerial organizing committee formed by the Ministries of Defense (MD), Foreign Affairs (MRE), and Science, Technology, and Innovations (MCTI), under the responsibility of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Civilians and military personnel from friendly countries such as Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay participated in the Exercise.
By having accumulated expertise in the management of Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards (CBRN) defense activities in large public events, with no negative occurrences, Brazil has been reinforcing its position as a reference in the qualification of responders against chemical agents.
Chemical Defense
The response events to emergencies with chemical agents in Brazil, under the aegis of the OPCW, are executed by the Ministry of Defense, through the Navy, Army and Air Force. The Armed Forces are responsible for sharing knowledge on the subject with the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
In 2016, Defense formalized the creation of the Regional Center for Assistance and Protection of Chemical Weapons in Brazil, the CAPAQ, to meet the demands of the OPCW on the prohibition of chemical weapons.
Source: Assessoria Especial de Comunicação Social (ASCOM)
Ministry of Defense – *** English version by DEFCONPress Team ***